Sustainable Development Goal Indicator 14.7.1 in Small Island Developing States: Challenges and Policy Implications

ABSTRACT

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Indicator 14.7.1 was designed to monitor the progress in increasing the economic benefits derived from sustainable marine fisheries, with particular relevance for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Despite its policy ambition, the indicator remains weakly used in policy practice, especially in SIDS. This article highlights practical challenges related to indicator interpretation, data and benchmark value availability, and statistical capacity, which together constrain this indicator's usefulness for decision‐making in SIDS. It argues that strengthening policy relevance does not require redesigning the indicator, but rather improving interpretation, communication, disaggregated reporting, and capacity‐building that respect the context of SIDS. Enhancing these aspects can support more meaningful alignment between global indicators and nationally/locally grounded policy dialogs and actions, especially in SIDS.