The Second Small-Scale Fisheries Summit (SSF Summit 2024), held from July 5 to 7, 2024 at FAO’s Headquarters in Rome, marked a significant milestone towards advancing the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). The event brought together over 300 representatives from small-scale fisheries organizations and fishing communities from across 78 countries from all regions to discuss achievements, challenges, and future pathways for the sector.
The official SSF Summit 2024 proceedings have now been published and are available in English, French, and Spanish. These comprehensive documents capture the key discussions, case studies, and policy recommendations that emerged from the Summit.
The proceedings offer a detailed account of the discussions and recommendations from the Summit which aimed at strengthening small-scale fisheries governance of tenure and social development. In addition, this document serves as a reference tool for governments, NGOs, and international organizations working towards sustainable fisheries management; and support the ongoing implementation of the SSF Guidelines by promoting the sharing of knowledge.
Partners support was essential for the SSF Summit 2024
The Summit received significant financial support from the European Commission, specifically through the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE). This funding demonstrates the European Commission’s commitment to promoting sustainable small-scale fisheries and enhancing ocean health.
Additional financial support was provided by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), FAO, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and members of the SSF Hub.
Looking forward
The SSF Summit 2024 reconfirmed the importance of collaborative action, policy development, and investment in small-scale fisheries to ensure their sustainability and resilience in the face of economic and environmental challenges.
The planning of the next SSF Summit, in 2026, has started. If you wish to support, please contact ssf-guidelines@fao.org
The Proceedings of the Second Small-Scale Fisheries Summit, 5–7 July 2024, Rome, Italy is available at: https://icsf.net/resources/proceedings-of-the-second-small-scale-fisheries-summit-5-7-july-2024-rome-italy-by-fao-2025/