The National Plan of Action for Small-Scale fisheries (NPOA-SSF) process proposes and describes various stages, steps, outputs and tools for developing and implementing an NPOA-SSF in a systematic and participatory way.
It pays particular attention to the participation of small-scale fisheries actors in the NPOA-SSF development process, which requires explicit recognition of the challenges faced by small-scale fisheries actors and their organizations in terms of effectively engaging in consultations.
FAO's NPOA-SSF also provides various templates, forms and tools that can be used by facilitators, managers, trainers and planners during the NPOA-SSF development process.
Supporting the implementation of the SSF Guidelines
The human rights-based approach to the governance of small-scale fisheries represents a major shift, and in order to create an enabling environment for the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Content of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines), FAO recommends that countries consider the development and implementation of National Plans of Action that support the implementation of the SSF Guidelines.
Stakeholder engagement and participation
The guiding principles of the SSF Guidelines require non-discriminatory and informed participation of small-scale fisheries communities, in transparent and rules-based decision-making processes, that are based on the recognition of their dignity and on the accountability of all actors involved. It is critical that this human rights-based approach is central to their implementation.
In support of this, FAO has developed the NPOA-SSF process to provide guidance on how to develop and implement a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (NPOA-SSF). Stakeholder engagement and participation are key throughout the process of the NPOA-SSF development and implementation. The FAO's NPOA-SSF process thus also provides cross-cutting tools and guidance on stakeholder engagement.
Related resources
NPOA-SSF flyer
This flyer brings an overview about the National Plan of Action for Small-scale Fisheries (NPOA-SSF), which is a systematic approach to the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of...
NPOA-SSF Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania has prepared a National Plan of action (NPoA) to ensure the effective implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food ...
Developing and implementing a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (NPOA-SSF) – Guide for trainers
A training programme around the National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (NPOASSF) has been developed to support these processes at national level...
Developing and implementing a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (NPOA-SSF) – Manual
This Manual was developed to provide guidance on how to develop and implement a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (NPOA-SSF)...
National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (NPOA-SSF) in Namibia
The NPOA-SSF is government’s commitment towards actioning the implementation of the SSF Guidelines for Namibia’s fishers, fishing communities and Fisheries dependent communities...
National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries Uganda
Capture fisheries are very important in the Ugandan economy and contributed 625,000 tons of fish valued at UGX 2 trillion in 2022 which is next to coffee in agricultural export earnings...
National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries Malawi
The National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (NPOA-SSF) in Malawi stands as a testament to the nation’s unwavering commitment towards unleashing the potential of its small-scale fishing industry...
