The project “Creating an enabling environment for securing sustainable small-scale fisheries” (GCP/GLO/965/SWE), funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), supports the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). [Author] It does so by, inter alia, improving relevant legal frameworks applicable to small-scale fisheries and reducing marginalization of small-scale fisheries stakeholders in decision-making processes. [Author] The project works with a wide range of stakeholders, ranging from small-scale fishing communities and organizations, to governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and academia, in both marine and inland waters. [Author] The project, initiated in December 2018, was designed under the FAO Umbrella Programme for the Promotion and Application of the SSF Guidelines (PGM/MUL/2015-2020/SSF) – Enhancing the contribution of small-scale fisheries to food security and sustainable livelihoods. [Author] Activities under the project first started in Cabo Verde, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Myanmar, Namibia, Oman, Philippines, Senegal and United Republic of Tanzania. [Author] In subsequent phases of the project, support was further extended upon ad hoc requests to other countries, such as Mozambique, and to a number of small-scale fisheries organizations, civil society orgranizations (CSOs) and NGOs. [Author] The project fosters synergies with the project implementing the SSF Guidelines for gender-equitable and climate resilient food systems and livelihoods’ supported through the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). [Author] A workshop on this project with project countries and partners brought together people to share experiences and lessons learned from the project. [Author] The workshop, which took place in Rome, Italy, from 14 to 16 November 2023, hosted discussions on the additional followup support that is required to further facilitate the implementation of the SSF Guidelines at national, regional and global level, hence contributing to a more sustainable small-scale fisheries sector. [Author]

The workshop on How to leverage the Illuminating Hidden Harvests approach for better small-scale fisheries data explored how the results and methodology of the study Illuminating Hidden Harvests: The contributions of small-scale fisheries to sustainable development study (IHH) can be leveraged to support the improvement of small-scale fisheries data, with a view to inform management and policy. [Author] The IHH is a global initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Duke University and WorldFish carried out in support of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). [Author] The IHH report, published in March 2023, provides new evidence about the benefits, interactions and impacts of small-scale fisheries to inform policy and practice. [Author] This workshop focused on sub-Saharan Africa as a starting point; however, in the future, collaboration and support could extend to other regions. [Author] The workshop concluded that there is considerable value in both the IHH approach and the data already collected that can be capitalized on, at both national and regional levels, taking country priorities into account. [Author] Small-scale fisheries organizations should be further empowered for engagement in relevant policy processes by equipping them with IHH data and information, and partnerships should be sought also outside the fisheries sector. [Author] Tailored communication pathways and products for diverse audiences will be needed, including multiple language translations and simplified versions of the IHH report. [Author] Using the IHH results and approach wisely will help improve the knowledge on the subsector and contribute to sustainable development. [Author]

This document includes eight studies showcasing good practices in support of sustainable small-scale fisheries. FAO commissioned these studies aiming to share experiences and promote the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). The case studies were also intended to promote participatory approaches – in line with the SSF Guidelines principles – and to promote increased interaction between research and fishing communities, including the use of traditional knowledge and participatory research. It is hoped that the case studies will inform policy and policy processes and, in this way, promote sustainable small-scale fisheries according to the SSF Guidelines and the human rights-based approach to development (HRBA). The case studies constitute a rich selection of experiences and are diverse, not only with regard to their geographical setting but also in scope and approach. They span from looking at one specific tool for sharing experiences (the fisheries learning exchanges methodology in Madagascar and Mozambique) or examining the enabling environment in a specific thematic area (disaster risks in Bangladesh), to regional policy formulation on small-scale fisheries (the SSF Guidelines protocol for Caribbean policies) and reflection on how to use the SSF Guidelines in participatory processes (the Myanmar step-by-step approach to discussions with small-scale fisheries communities). A few of the papers look at co-management, in some cases combining fisheries management and social development (Senegal, Uruguay and Nepal), with one focusing on the role of small-scale fisheries and community organizations (India). Generally, the case studies refer to HRBA but, perhaps because many of the activities have taken place in the past, it seems that HRBA has rarely been consciously and explicitly implemented. Still, the case studies bear witness to a number of experiences and practices that are clearly steps in the right direction. Key good practices emerging from the studies refer to, among other things, holistic approaches to co-management and social responsibility; broad engagement, inclusiveness and partnerships; the power of communication; and gender equality and the role of women. As more experience is gained, our knowledge of how to go about implementing the SSF Guidelines will improve and nurture new and continued initiatives. For the present and the future, efforts should be made to apply HRBA, while continuing to share experiences and good practices showing how to do so when implementing the SSF Guidelines.

For centuries, fishing has been an activity of great importance for indigenous peoples. They inhabit and relate to water ecosystems, which conserve their cultural heritage, food sovereignty (the right to access healthy and culturally appropriate food) and in many cases are a main source of income. In Central America the situation is not different: today indigenous peoples live in more than 75% of the marine-coastal zones of the Caribbean Sea and extensive areas adjacent to continental waters and the Pacific Ocean, and have in fishing their main incomes. Precisely these areas present the highest indicators of poverty and malnutrition in the region. Taking this context into account, FAO and FILAC joined forces to promote the implementation of the voluntary guidelines for the sustainability of small-scale fisheries (DV-PPE) in the context of food security and the eradication of poverty. They organized the international course "Voluntary Guidelines for the Sustainability of Small Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and the Eradication of Poverty for Indigenous Peoples of Central America". During the course, government representatives, indigenous leaders and indigenous fishermen from six countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Nicaragua) gathered to learn, share, advocate, dialogue and build a roadmap to implement in their countries.

This report provides a summary of the presentations, panel statements and working group discussions of the Bangkok Global Conference on Small-Scale Fisheries in 2008. The conference identified several critical ways forward in securing sustainable small-scale fisheries that integrate social, cultural and economic development, address resource access and use rights issues guided by human rights principles, and recognize the rights of indigenous peoples.--Publisher's description.

Small-scale fisheries (SSF) as a livelihood contribute to food and nutrition security, poverty alleviation and economic development in the Pacific Islands region, which has to face challenges of population growth, climate change impacts and geographical remoteness. The SSF Guidelines are an important tool for securing sustainable SSF governance and development. This final report presents the strategic development process for the guidelines, which consisted of an extensive consultation process with governments, regional organizations, civil-society organizations (CSOs) and small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities. The consultation brought together 38 participants representing governments, the fishing industry and CSOs from 17 countries and territories in the Pacific Islands region to share experiences with SSF policies and practices, and to provide advice for improvement of the guidelines. It also emphasised the importance of encouraging policies to protect small-scale fisheries livelihoods, to promote income opportunities and to emphasise the socio-economic and cultural importance of small-scale fisheries for the Pacific islands region.

The Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) represent the first ever internationl instrument dedicated to small-scale fisheries. They represent a global consensus on principles and guidance for small-scale fisheries governance and development. They were developed for small-scale fisheries in close collaboration with representatives of small-scale fisheries organizations in a participatory process between 2011-13, involving over 4000 stakeholders; facilitated by FAO, based on a mandate by COFI. They are directed at all those involved in the sector and intend to guide and encourage governments, fishing communities and other stakeholders to work together and ensure secure and sustainable small-scale fisheries for the benefit of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities as well as for society at large. They complement existing internatinoal instruments, such as the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, the VG Tenure and the Right to Food Guidelines. Underpinned by a human rights approach, the SSF Guidelines represent a critical instrument to empower small-scale fishing communities - including vulnerable and marginalized groups - to participate in decision-making processes, and to assume responsibilities for sustainable use of fishery resources. The SSF Guidelines are already referred to in a number of ongoing policy processes (Committee on Global Food Security: Principles for responsible investment in agriculture and food systems 41st CFS recommendations; NEPAD's policy framework and reform strategy for fisheries and aquaculture in Africa; Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC), Resolution WECAFC/15/2014/8).