The VGSSF also focuses on the importance of SSF in poverty eradication and providing food security to the communities. The importance of securing SSF is highlighted in the context of the human rights of communities and their full participation in decision making. Development priorities and the technological preferences related to them, have for long continued to erode the material resource base on which these SSF communities depend. Although the fisheries in several parts of the world are in jeopardy, they still continue to be the only means of livelihood of a considerable number of people. It is important for communities to be able to defend themselves against various onslaughts from external sources that erode their livelihoods. They also have to overcome the internal contradictions that have penetrated their own community cohesiveness.
