MARITIMEPOSTS.COM – Capture fisheries support the livelihoods of over 120 million people. Small-scale fisheries produce two-thirds of all catches destined for direct human consumption and provide 90% of the employment in the sector.
Nicole Franz, Fisheries Planning Analyst and Yvette Diei Ouadi, Fishery Industry Officer of the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department explain the importance of supporting small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities to ensure food security for all.
They describe the FAO policy work, including key policy messages.
This video forms part of a series of policy and governance videos being produced by FAO in 2016.
These fisheries play a vital role in sustaining communities—providing livelihoods through employment, income, and food security. Ensuring that small-scale fisheries remain sustainable and effective is essential for fishers, fish workers, and their communities.
However, small-scale fishing communities face significant challenges. These include declining fish stocks, increasing competition from more powerful sectors, and the ongoing marginalization of small-scale fisheries.
The Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines represent a global consensus on principles, best practices, and recommendations to ensure sustainability. Importantly, they go beyond fisheries alone. They take a broader, more holistic approach by addressing issues such as gender equality, social development, employment, decent work, disaster risk, and climate change—factors that directly affect the daily lives of small-scale fishing communities.
Governments, ministries, and policymakers must now take concrete steps to implement these guidelines.
At present, much of the data on small-scale fisheries is based on estimates. Improving the availability and quality of data is therefore critical for effective policymaking.
The Sustainable Development Goals include a specific target to ensure that small-scale and artisanal fishers have access to resources and markets. Implementing the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines is a key pathway to achieving these goals.
Progress is being made, but maintaining momentum is essential.