Artisanal or small-scale fisheries (see definition in Box 9) represent an important share of the fisheries sector in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea and the considerable role that they play in the region has long been recognized. Small-scale fisheries have the potential to make a significant contribution to food security, economic growth and rural development and to provide valuable employment opportunities. Furthermore, they are strongly anchored in local communities, reflecting often historic links with traditions, culture and values. Small-scale fisheries are a vibrant and multi-dimensional sector, where traditional local knowledge and cultural heritage coexist and are embedded in the surrounding environment. Moreover, they are important vectors of local knowledge and good practices and they have a relatively low environmental impact.