Given the international consensus on achieving human rights, the paper stresses that committed action to realizing the human rights of fishing communities, as indeed of all vital, yet marginalized groups and communities, is really not a matter of choice. It is an obligation. The paper provides concrete proposals for securing social, economic and cultural rights of small-scale fishing communities. These proposals, in the main, seek the implementation of provisions that already exist in existing international legislation, including customary law. The paper also draws attention to the challenges that will need to be overcome in adopting and implementing a human rights approach to fisheries and fishing communities. A comprehensive and coherent policy approach, internationally, nationally and locally, to securing rights of fishing communities, is essential. Investment in building the capacity of both right holders and duty bearers is one of the most important steps necessary for translating commitment into action.