Increasing the Contribution of Small-Scale Fisheries To Poverty Alleviation and Food Security (FAO Technical Guidelines for Responsible Fisheries)

Most small-scale fishers are in developing countries and many live in poor and food insecure communities. The guidelines explore ways through which the contribution of small-scale fisheries to poverty alleviation and food security could be enhanced. A vision for the future of small-scale fisheries is presented as a goal towards which the subsector should develop. Ensuring greater participation by small-scale fishers and their communities in the formulation of policies, the development of related legislation and regulations, and in management decision-making and implementation processes, is vital to the realization of this vision. The central role of effective fisheries management, the importance of considering 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, the critical role that adequate financing can have in enabling transitions for effective fisheries management and the role of knowledge in making informed decisions are all discussed in these guidelines.