The Expert Consultation was convened in order to elaborate guidelines on the policies and actions needed to increase the contribution of small-scale fisheries to poverty alleviation and food security. The Consultation noted that there is little reference to poverty alleviation and insufficient coverage of small-scale fisheries in the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, and recommended the development of a new article on "Small-scale Fisheries and Povery Alleviation."

The Expert Consultation was convened in order to elaborate guidelines on the policies and actions needed to increase the contribution of small-scale fisheries to poverty alleviation and food security. The Consultation noted that there is little reference to poverty alleviation and insufficient coverage of small-scale fisheries in the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, and recommended the development of a new article on "Small-scale Fisheries and Povery Alleviation."

Most small-scale fisheries are in developing countries and many live in poor and food insecure communities. These guidelines considers how small-scale fisheries can contribute to poverty alleviation and food security, and complement existing technical guidelines on sustainable fisheries. Issues discussed include: participation by small-scale fishers and their communities in development of policy and regulation measures, as well as in management decision-making and implementation processes; cross-sectoral uses of fisheries and related resources; the special role of women in fish marketing, processing and value addition; the significant scope for trade; financing; information research and communication aspects.

The Expert Consultation was convened in order to elaborate guidelines on the policies and actions needed to increase the contribution of small-scale fisheries to poverty alleviation and food security. The Consultation noted that there is little reference to poverty alleviation and insufficient coverage of small-scale fisheries in the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, and recommended the development of a new article on "Small-scale Fisheries and Povery Alleviation."

The Expert Consultation was convened by FAO in order to elaborate a framework for technical guidelines on the economic, social and institutional considerations (e.g. information processes and approaches) needed in the application of the ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAF). The Expert Consultation provided specific guidance for the finalization of a technical paper based on a revision and elaboration of the background document presented and produced a detailed outline for the preparation of new technical guidelines. The Expert Consultation also noted the need to clearly explain the current interpretation of the term EAF, expressing the ideas of a holistic, participatory and integrated approach to fisheries management. The Expert Consultation recognized that the move towards EAF would, in many instances, be accomplished on an incremental and adaptive management basis in view of each specific context being addressed.

The third and main section of the document discusses ways of increasing the contribution of small-scale fisheries to poverty alleviation and food security through nine main entry points. First, the paper revisits conventional fisheries policies and legislation and makes suggestions on how those can be made more pro-poor. Next, the paper emphasizes the importance of capacity building and highlights how cross-sectoral interventions can greatly improve the livelihoods of fish-dependent communities. The paper then proposes a series of broad pro-poor or pro-small-scale fisheries principles, before discussing in greater detail three of the main management instruments adopted in fisheries: (i) property right approaches; (ii) co-management; and (iii) protected areas. The next two sub-sections discuss markets and how to make them work for the poor, and the important issue of pro-poor financing systems and subsidies.

Recommendations made include the need: for a background study and consultation on the normative framework for fish trade and food security; for the preparation of technical guidelines on the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF), fish trade and food security; and better training to improve capacity of policy makers and technical personnel on international issues dealing with fish trade and food security.