Report Of The Expert Consultation On The Role Of Small Scale Fisheries In Poverty Alleviation And Food Security

The Expert Consultation was convened in order to elaborate guidelines on the policies and actions needed to increase the contribution of small-scale fisheries to poverty alleviation and food security. The Consultation noted that there is little reference to poverty alleviation and insufficient coverage of small-scale fisheries in the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, and recommended the development of a new article on "Small-scale Fisheries and Povery Alleviation."

The third and main section of the document discusses ways of increasing the contribution of small-scale fisheries to poverty alleviation and food security through nine main entry points. First, the paper revisits conventional fisheries policies and legislation and makes suggestions on how those can be made more pro-poor. Next, the paper emphasizes the importance of capacity building and highlights how cross-sectoral interventions can greatly improve the livelihoods of fish-dependent communities. The paper then proposes a series of broad pro-poor or pro-small-scale fisheries principles, before discussing in greater detail three of the main management instruments adopted in fisheries: (i) property right approaches; (ii) co-management; and (iii) protected areas. The next two sub-sections discuss markets and how to make them work for the poor, and the important issue of pro-poor financing systems and subsidies.

Most small-scale fisheries are in developing countries and many live in poor and food insecure communities. These guidelines considers how small-scale fisheries can contribute to poverty alleviation and food security, and complement existing technical guidelines on sustainable fisheries. Issues discussed include: participation by small-scale fishers and their communities in development of policy and regulation measures, as well as in management decision-making and implementation processes; cross-sectoral uses of fisheries and related resources; the special role of women in fish marketing, processing and value addition; the significant scope for trade; financing; information research and communication aspects.

The Expert Consultation was convened in order to elaborate guidelines on the policies and actions needed to increase the contribution of small-scale fisheries to poverty alleviation and food security. The Consultation noted that there is little reference to poverty alleviation and insufficient coverage of small-scale fisheries in the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, and recommended the development of a new article on "Small-scale Fisheries and Povery Alleviation."

Employing an inter-disciplinary and contextual approach, this book is a legal study which reflects political and ecological realities and their inter-relation in the context of sustainable marine fisheries focusing on specific EU-West African bilateral fisheries relations.

These guidelines have been produced to support implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries with regard to safety at sea in the fisheries sector. Their purpose is to enable relevant authorities to develop and implement strategies aimed at improved safety, health and conditions of service at sea in capture fisheries and aquaculture operations. They apply to all commercial fishing activities, as well as activities at sea within the aquaculture sector. Furthermore, the principles therein, may also be applied to vessels engaged in fisheries research. However, while these guidelines are not directed at sport and recreational activities carried out within the aquatic environment, administrations responsible for such sectors may well take note of the safety and health issues therein. The guidelines contribute to Strategic Objective 5: Increase the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises.

The Contribution of International Fisheries Law to Human Development: An Analysis of Multilateral and ACP-EU Fisheries Instruments examines whether and how legal fisheries instruments encompass a normative consensus on human development. Focusing on both multilateral (treaties and soft-law) as well as the ACP-EU bilateral fisheries instruments, Nienke van der Burgt provides a detailed analysis as to whether these different types of legal instruments reflect the principles of equity, poverty eradication and participation, which have been identified as key indicators of human development. Moreover, specific attention is paid to whether explicit reference is made to the small-scale fisheries sector and to the role of women. Concluding that despite increasing evidence of the potential and significant contribution of fisheries towards human development, legal fisheries instruments seem to be struggling with the incorporation of a human development–centred approach, The Contribution of International Fisheries Law to Human Development is essential reading for all those involved in the fields of international environmental law and sustainable human development.

This United Nations report examines the current state of knowledge of the world's oceans, for policymakers, and provides a reference for marine science courses.