Representatives of artisanal fisheries from 16 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have called for action to ensure the continuity, development and well-being of their families, communities and livelihoods.

In a statement issued at the end of a meeting in Cananéia City-São Paulo State, Brazil, they reaffirmed their essential role in the production of healthy and nutritious food along seas, oceans, rivers and lakes, all in the fight against hunger and food insecurity.

The representatives, who came from Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Santa Lucia, and Saint Kitts and Nevis, recognized the knowledge of traditional fishing communities, Afro-descendants and all indigenous peoples, and expressed respect for their culture and different ways of life. The statement made particular mention of the importance of women in the development of artisanal fisheries systems.

The statement also drew the attention of all stakeholders interested in artisanal fisheries sustainability to the little progress made to date in the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and the Eradication of Poverty (the SSF Guidelines).

The statement, which came at the end of five days of intense debate, recalled the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic that resulted in greater networking and solidarity between communities, and social movements of artisanal fishing and farming workers, as well as new marketing strategies, among other initiatives, that ought not to be forgotten.