10th anniversary of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines)
2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the endorsement of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines).
The SSF Guidelines are the first international instrument dedicated entirely to the immensely important small-scale fisheries sector. More than 4000 voices from fishers, fish workers and others in over 120 countries have described how they would want to make livelihoods along the small-scale fisheries value chain sustainable for people and the planet. Their recommendations have been summarized into a concise set of principles, namely the SSF Guidelines.
The final text of the SSF Guidelines was negotiated by FAO Members and endorsed by the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) in 2014, confirming a strong commitment from both governments and civil society to bring about positive change in small-scale fisheries.
The principles in the SSF Guidelines address policies, strategies and legal frameworks concerning small-scale fisheries, but also other matters affecting lives and livelihoods in fishing communities. The SSF Guidelines are global in scope, and they guide dialogue, policy processes and actions at national, regional and international level, contributing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Key issues addressed in the SSF Guidelines are:
- securing tenure rights and managing resources responsibly;
- supporting social development and decent work;
- improving value chains from catching through processing to trading fish;
- promoting gender equality; and
- taking into account climate change and disaster risk.
Aware, informed, empowered, capacitated
To achieve the recommendations in the SSF Guidelines, one must know about, understand and apply them. Efforts to implement the SSF Guidelines include: (i) Raising awareness; (ii) Strengthening the science-policy interface; (iii) Empowering stakeholder, and; (iv) Supporting implementation.
It is also important to understand the situation, challenges and opportunities facing small-scale fisheries around the world, and to use this knowledge to inform policies and decisions to support sustainable fisheries and community livelihoods.
Change has to happen at national and local levels. For that, fishers and fish workers need to know their rights and responsibilities and have ways to realize them. Organisations that carry the voice of fishers and fish workers to policy- and decision-makers must be supported and empowered. Likewise, policy- and decision-makers need the tools and capacity to engage with small-scale fishers.
All actors need supporting partnerships and arrangements that makes it easy for them to exchange ideas and concerns, and collaborate to make a difference. There is also a need to measure and keep track of progress.
The implementation of the SSF Guidelines is both challenging and promising. The International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA) in 2022 has shown that actions to raise awareness on the small-scale fisheries subsector can generate positive results. Two countries have already launched National Plans of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (NPOA-SSF) and other countries have started the process of developing an NPOA-SSF or have demonstrated interest in doing so.
On the SSF Guidelines website you can find more information about the SSF Guidelines, including related projects, tools and resources.
Tell us what you think and do!
Share your experience on the implementation of the SSF Guidelines
This call is an important stock taking opportunity for all and the results are expected to further inform FAO, governments, SSF organizations, NGOs development partners, CSOs, research and other partners initiatives to implement the SSF Guidelines at national, regional or global level.
The FAO SSF Guidelines team invite stakeholders to:
1. |
Share experiences, lessons learned and good practices on the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. |
2. |
Point out gaps, constraints and challenges encountered in raising awareness and implementing the SSF Guidelines. |
3. |
Suggest recommendations for improvements in implementing the SSF Guidelines. |
4. |
Share concrete plans to (further) use and implement the SSF Guidelines. |
5. |
Tell us why the SSF Guidelines are important. |
Your contributions will support celebrations of the 10th anniversary of the SSF Guidelines, for example during the 36th session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries and during the 2024 SSF Summit and inform future implementation.
How to take part in this Call for Submissions:
Submissions can be made in any of the three languages (English, French or Spanish). Please keep the length of submissions limited to 1,000 words. You can download and upload the completed form on this webpage or, alternatively, send it to [email protected].
The Call for Submissions is open until 11 December 2023.
We engage you for an active participation and thank you for sharing your experience!
Co-facilitators:
Nicole Franz, Fishery Officer, Equitable Livelihoods Team Lead, Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, FAO
Mele Tauati, Fishery Officer (Small-Scale Fisheries), Equitable Livelihoods Team, Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, FAO
References:
FAO. 2015. Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication. Rome. https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/I4356EN
FAO. 2021. SSF Guidelines uptake and influence. A pathway to impact. Rome. https://www.fao.org/3/cb7657en/cb7657en.pdf
FAO. 2020. Legislating for Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries – A guide on how to align national fisheries legislation to the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication. Rome. https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/CB0885EN
FAO. 2023. International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022 – Final report. Rome. https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en?details=cc5034en
United Republic of Tanzania. 2021. NPOA National Plan of Action For Implementation of Voluntary Guidelines on Securing Sustainable Small- scale fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (NPoA-SSF GUIDELINES). Dodoma, Tanzania. https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ssf/documents/Tanzania_National_Plan_of_Action_Book.pdf
Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR). 2022. National Plan of Action for small-scale fisheries. 2022-2026. Government of Namibia. https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ssf/documents/Namibias_National_Plan_of_Action_for_Small_Scale_Fisheries_2022_to_2026.pdf
For learning more about the FAO publications on this topic, please read the article here.
- Read 64 contributions
The constraints faced by small-scale fishermen who invest significant effort in their livelihood greatly limit the potential of small-scale fisheries. The primary challenge is the inadequate support provided to these small-scale fishing operations. Through my experience working with numerous small-scale farmers, I've observed that they struggle to adequately nourish their fish populations. This is primarily due to the high cost associated with purchasing commercial fish feed, which remains largely inaccessible to small-scale fish farmers most of the time. The increasing expenses related to feed, the limited availability of feed at the farm, and the high cost of aquatic animal healthcare products are challenges that small-scale fish farmers find difficult to overcome. These factors hinder their ability to invest in these essential components necessary for achieving higher production. Ultimately, when they sell their fish or shrimp, the returns they receive are often insufficient to cover their initial investments in farming.
To improve the implementation of the Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) Guidelines and address the challenges faced by small-scale fishermen and fish farmers, the following recommendations can be considered
1. Government organizations should explore options for subsidizing or making affordable fish feed and other essential inputs available to small-scale fish farmers. This can alleviate the burden of high feed costs and promote higher production.
2.Establish financial assistance programs or micro-loan schemes specifically tailored for small-scale fish farmers. This can help them access capital to invest in feed, healthcare products, and other necessities for their operations.
3. Provide training and educational programs to small-scale fishermen and fish farmers on sustainable and cost-effective aquaculture practices. Equipping them with knowledge and skills can improve productivity and reduce losses.
4. Create platforms or support networks where small-scale fish farmers can access technical assistance, advice, and resources related to aquaculture practices, disease management, and marketing.
5. Facilitate access to fair and transparent markets for small-scale fish farmers, ensuring they receive a reasonable price for their products. This may involve establishing cooperative marketing arrangements or connecting them to larger markets.
6.Implement healthcare and disease management initiatives that are accessible and affordable to small-scale fish farmers. This can help maintain the health of their aquatic animals and reduce losses.
7. Invest in research and innovation in aquaculture to develop low-cost and sustainable alternatives for feed and healthcare products, tailored to the needs of small-scale farmers.
8. Emphasize the importance of sustainable and eco-friendly practices in small-scale fisheries. This not only benefits the environment but can also lead to cost savings in the long term.
9. Establish a system for monitoring and evaluating the impact of interventions and initiatives on small-scale fisheries. Regular assessments can help in adjusting strategies and ensuring they are effective.
By implementing these recommendations, policymakers, organizations, and communities can work together to overcome the constraints faced by small-scale fishermen and promote the sustainable growth of small-scale fisheries in line with the SSF Guidelines.
En este como en cualquier otro cistema producto es fundamental cuidar nuestros recursos naturales. Tener en cuenta que el cambio climático afecta nuestro entorno y por lo tanto nuestros cultivos y cosechas y aunque no es nuestro tema la pezca felizito a la fao por su interés por este tema, México es un país rico en tierras de cultivo y pezca. Desafortunadamente no ay compromiso por parte de nuestros gobiernos para generar esquemas de financiamiento, para el aprovechamiento de nuestros recursos de forma responsable, sostenible con nuestros medio ambiente.....
Welcome to this call for submission!
We really look forwards to receiving all your contributions that will be extremely valuable inputs for FAO's future work in support of securing sustainable small-scale fisheries, in the context of Blue Transformation.
Bienvenue à cet appel à propositions !
Nous attendons avec impatience de recevoir toutes vos contributions, qui seront extrêmement précieuses pour les futurs travaux de la FAO visant à garantir la pérennité de la pêche artisanale, dans le contexte de la Transformation bleue.
¡Bienvenidos a esta solicitud de contributiones! Realmente esperamos recibir todas sus contribuciones, que serán aportaciones extremadamente valiosas para el trabajo futuro de la FAO en apoyo de garantizar la pesca sostenible en pequeña escala, en el contexto de la Transformación Azul.
Nicole
Dear All,
Good day!
I would like to provide the following four points which may be considered for inclusion in the Voluntary Guidelines:
1. There is a need to include underemployment issue (which is rampant in fisheries sector) in the Voluntary Guidelines for sustainability in the Small-Scale Fisheries.
2. Non-point sources of water pollution issue including roles and responsibilities at different levels need to be included in the Voluntary Guidelines for for sustainability in Small-Scale Fisheries.
3. Biosecurity is an important aspect which is beyond the comprehension of farmers involved in Small-Scale Fisheries; there is a need for institutional arrangements which need to be included in the Voluntary Guidelines.
4, Traditional water management practices need to be included in the Voluntary Guidelines in order to develop adoptable technology that will enable mitigation of water scarcity and problem of climate change for financial inclusion and mainstreaming of indigenous small-scale fish farmers.
With warm regards,
Pradip Dey
This activity is now closed. Please contact [email protected] for any further information.