This report points out that the socio-economic and cultural importance of small-scale fisheries is rarely recognized in national fisheries development policies, which tend to emphasize large-scale, industrial fisheries. Drawing from various sources it provides national–level estimates of small-scale fisheries (SSF) production, contribution of small-scale fisheries and related statistics for each maritime country, and then aggregates them at the global level. It also provides data on national definitions of small-scale fisheries, gears used, catch composition, number of fishers, number of boats and involvement of women and children. Significantly, in recognition of the important roles that women and children play in SSF, the report includes a discussion about gender issues.