Building a global knowledge sharing platform to help implement the SSF Guidelines

The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) took the initiative to invite 25 participants from environmental NGOs and other actors working with fisheries and conservation to discuss how they together could help shape a resource hub to support small-scale fishery leaders and help implement the SSF Guidelines. This effort will contribute to a knowledge sharing platform within the Global Strategic Framework in support of the implementation of the SSF Guidelines, described in more detail below. The meeting was hosted in FAO in Rome.

Group photo from the workshop © FAO/Åsa Ljusenius

Photo from the workshop © FAO/Åsa Ljusenius

 

The Global Strategic Framework in support of the implementation of the SSF Guidelines

Implementing the SSF Guidelines takes combined efforts from many actors. These actors need a supporting structure that makes it easy for them to exchange ideas and concerns, and to collaborate to make a difference. In 2016, the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) therefore recommended the development of a Global Strategic Framework in support of the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (SSF-GSF).

The SSF-GSF is a global partnership mechanism that helps ensure the implementation of the SSF Guidelines is carried out in a coherent way. It allows for participation of small-scale fisheries actors and other stakeholders in finding and sharing good practices, and in combining efforts to advocate for change and mobilize resources.

The knowledge sharing platform currently taking shape is part of the SSF-GSF, as shown in the picture below. Environmental NGOs, along with researchers, academia, regional organizations and other actors will contribute knowledge to benefit the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. The aforementioned resource hub will be one such contribution.