Voluntary guidelines for securing sustainable small-scale fisheries
In the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication
Preface
These Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication have been developed as a complement to the 1995 FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (the Code). They were developed to provide complementary guidance with respect to small-scale fisheries in support of the overall principles and provisions of the Code. Accordingly, the Guidelines are intended to support the visibility, recognition and enhancement of the already important role of small-scale fisheries and to contribute to global and national efforts towards the eradication of hunger and poverty. The Guidelines support responsible fisheries and sustainable social and economic development for the benefit of current and future generations, with an emphasis on small-scale fishers and fish workers and related activities and including vulnerable and marginalized people, promoting human rights based approach.
It is emphasized that these Guidelines are voluntary, global in scope and with a focus on the needs of developing countries.
Small-scale and artisanal fisheries, encompassing all activities along the value chain – pre-harvest, harvest and post-harvest – undertaken by men and women, play an important role in food security and nutrition, poverty eradication, equitable development and sustainable resource1 utilization. Small-scale fisheries provide nutritious food for local, national and international markets and generate income to support local and national economies Small-scale fisheries contribute about half of global fish catches. When considering catches destined for direct human consumption, the share contributed by the small-scale fisheries increases to two-thirds. Inland fisheries are particularly important in this respect where the majority of the catches from small-scale fisheries are directed to human consumption. Small-scale fisheries employ more than 90 percent of the world’s capture fishers and fish workers, about half of whom are women. In addition to employment as full- or part-time fishers and fish workers, seasonal or occasional fishing and related activities provide vital supplements to the livelihoods of millions. These activities may be a recurrent sideline activity or become especially important in times of difficulty. Many small-scale fishers and fish workers are self-employed and engaged in directly providing food for their household and communities as well as working in commercial fishing, processing and marketing. Fishing and related activities often underpin the local economies in coastal, lakeshore and riparian communities and constitute an engine, generating multiplier effects in other sectors.
Contents
Part 1: Introduction
1. Objectives
2. Nature and scope
3. Guiding principles
4. Relationship with other international instruments
Part 2: Responsible fisheries and sustainable development
5. Governance of tenure in small-scale fisheries and resource management
Responsible governance of tenure -
Sustainable resource management -
6. Social development, employment and decent work
7. Value chains post-harvest and trade
8. Gender equality
9. Disaster risks and climate change
Part 3: Ensuring an enabling environment and supporting implementation
10. Policy coherence, institutional coordination and collaboration
11. Information, research and communication
12. Capacity development
13. Implementation support and monitoring
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