Conference Name:Sixteenth Meeting of the UN Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (ICP-16) 6-10 April 2015, UN Headquarters, New York, US
Date: 07-04-2015
Abstract: The fisheries sector, particularly small-scale fisheries, is the largest employer of men and women in the maritime sector. It is also an important source of food security, nutrition, and livelihood, especially in many developing countries, including small island developing States. Sustainable development of oceans can not only conserve living resources but also optimize the above benefits, particularly if there is effective integration of environmental, economic and social dimensions of sustainable development.
The 2014 Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (the SSF Guidelines)—developed through a ground-up consultation process with active participation of civil society organizations particularly from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as through a negotiation process involving FAO Member States and other stakeholders—provides an example of seeking such an integration. It is articulated through the adoption of a human rights-based approach—an approach based on international human rights standards combining civil and political rights, and economic, social and cultural rights of fishing communities, including men, women and indigenous peoples, with the right to sustainable development–in fisheries.
In addition to ensuring sustainable use of fisheries resources, a human rights-based approach can empower small-scale fishing communities to participate in decision-making processes, benefit vulnerable and marginalized groups in developing countries, address forced labour and child labour in fisheries, and protect the rights of migrant fishers and fishworkers. Adopting such an approach in fisheries would enhance social benefits, in particular, and bring greater visibility to the contribution of small-scale fisheries and fishing communities to global food security and poverty eradication.
