Small-scale fisheries play an indispensable role in combating poverty, enhancing food security and promoting the sustainable use of marine and inland waters the world over.

This year is the tenth anniversary of a monumental achievement for small-scale fishing communities and Indigenous Peoples. A decade ago, fisherfolk and civil society organizations united to secure the endorsement of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (the SSF Guidelines) by the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The dedication of these organizations during the consultations was instrumental in shaping the SSF Guidelines, the only international document devoted to the rights of small-scale fishing communities, including Indigenous Peoples.

Currently, the decline in water and fisheries resources threatens 492 million people at least partially dependent on fisheries for their livelihoods. These communities face resource depletion and industrial encroachment that violate their basic rights. Activities such as mining, over-fishing and industrial development exacerbate environmental degradation. Protecting the rights of small-scale fishers is crucial for ensuring food security and alleviating poverty.