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Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries

in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication

FAO heralds a new era of support for small-scale fisheries and aquaculture at IYAFA 2022 global closing event

31/03/2023
 ©FAO/Alessandra Benedetti

The vital contribution of small-scale artisanal fishers around the world has been recognized at an official closing event to mark the end of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022. 

The hybrid event, held at FAO headquarters in Rome on March 31, provided an overview of various global activities held throughout the Year, while highlighting key recommendations and commitments to further strengthen fisheries and aquaculture in the future.

FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, described the end of IYAFA as a new beginning to further amplify the voices of small-scale artisanal fishers and to continue supporting the development of artisanal fisheries and aquaculture with inclusive national plans and strategies.

“The International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022 celebrated the millions of people working in small-scale artisanal fisheries and aquaculture – including some 45 million women small-scale fishers – who produce 40 percent of all the fish we eat”, QU said.

Last year more than 260 events were held in 68 countries to celebrate the contributions and commitment of small-scale artisanal fisheries and aquaculture to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

Moderator Nicole Franz, FAO fisheries officer, stressed that IYAFA 2022 would not have been a success without the critical engagement and initiatives of countries, organizations and individuals around the world. 

The event screened a video of IYAFA celebrations to mark the contributions of partners and supporters from all over the world, and to promote continued engagement in the sub-sectors. 

One important priority is the need to engage Youth for Blue Transformation in order to secure the future of the sub-sectors. The small-scale fisheries workforce includes many communities which are the most vulnerable to environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, climate impacts and economic shocks. 

Abdallah H. Ulega, Tanzania’s Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, said the closure of IYAFA 2022 was an opportunity to renew commitments and consolidate efforts to further amplify the importance of small-scale fisheries and aquaculture in food security, poverty eradication and sustainable resource use. 

In a video message, Bärbel Kofler, Parliamentary State Secretary at Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), spoke of her government’s strong support for sustainable artisanal fishing and aquaculture – in the context of food security, sustainable supply chains, biodiversity and climate protection.As part of that commitment, Kofler announced a new €18 million programme for sustainable aquatic foods. 

Nedwa Moctar Nech is from the Maghreb and North Africa Platform of Artisanal Fishery and Aquaculture , which is dedicated to the development of small-scale fisheries and aquaculture in the region. She stressed the importance of perpetuating the efforts made during IYAFA 2022.

Munir Md Mujibul Haque, amember of the International Planning Committee (IPC) Working Group on Fisheries, highlighted the crucial role played by small-scale fisheries in ensuring global food security and presented the work of the IPC in celebrating IYAFA 2022.

Elisa Morgera, director of One Ocean Hub (OOH) research organization, noted IYAFA 2022 had seen unprecedented high-level engagement through its human rights-based approach to the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. She also pointed out the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for the first time had addressed the SSF/SSA community on World Ocean Day in 2022. 

Alberto Miti, associate director of the US-based NGO, The Lexicon, presented the global storytelling Greener Blue Initiative,  which invited small-scale fishers, fish farmers, and fish workers from communities all over the world to participate and share their views. The initiative brought together 100 Storytellers from 43 countries who participated in the Lexicon Lab for evidence storytelling. 

The Small-Scale Fisheries Resources and Collaboration Hub (SSF Hub) shared a video statement about the role that IYAFA 2022 had played in amplifying the voices of small-scale aquatic food producers. 

Maria Helena Semedo, Deputy Director General of FAO, pronounced the final remarks and launched the FAO virtual photo exhibition on small-scale fisheries and aquaculture.