IIED animation: using fiscal policy tools to create a sustainable future for ocean and people

From seas poisoned by toxins to dangerous overfishing, and damaged seafloor habitats to deadly plastic pollution, human activity has pushed our ocean to crisis point – and threatens the livelihoods of millions of women and men who rely on ocean resources.

A new animation from IIED explains how governments can use fiscal policy tools – including subsidies, taxes and fees – to prevent this damaging behaviour.

In under two minutes, the animation, 'Fiscal policy tools: creating a sustainable future for ocean and people', brings to life how governments can put these tools to best use – such as introducing penalties to discourage overfishing and harmful practices like dredging, and incentivise positive initiatives, for example by subsidising innovation that protects marine life.

In many countries, fiscal policy tools aren’t working effectively. Governments do not have the capacity to collect taxes and fees, leading to missed opportunities to generate resources that can be channelled to sectors that support poor coastal communities or those that employ more women.

The short clip explains how IIED – under a project supported by Sida – is drawing on its long-standing experience of bringing together experts, policymakers and communities to generate evidence that drives positive shifts in policy and practice.

The project is creating spaces for officials from ministries of finance, policymakers in fisheries agencies, academics, fishers and consumers to share knowledge and build an understanding of how fiscal tools can be used to encourage the sustainable management of the ocean and support the livelihoods of the millions of women and men who rely on it. 

Further IIED animations about an inclusive blue economy

• Why the value that small-scale fishing brings to national economies should be recognised by policymakers
• How a new global treaty could end lawlessness that threatens conservation of the high seas