FAO/CRFM/WECAFC CARIBBEAN REGIONAL CONSULTATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR SECURING SUSTAINABLE SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES

摘要

In June 2011, the Twenty-ninth Session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) recommended the development of international guidelines for small-scale fisheries ("SSF Guidelines"). As part of its strategic development process, the FAO Secretariat engaged in an extensive consultative process with governments, regional organizations, civil society organizations, and small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities. In this context, the FAO, the Caribbean Regional Fishery Mechanism (CRFM) and the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC) jointly convened the Caribbean Regional Consultation on the Development of International Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in Kingston, Jamaica, on 6-8 December 2012. The workshop which was kindly hosted by the Government of Jamaica brought together more than 60 experts from governments, regional organizations, civil society and academia to further discuss the structure, overall considerations and thematic coverage of the future SSF Guidelines and to consolidate ideas put forth in other regional and national consultations. Advice was given concerning next steps and additional activities in the guidelines development process.The workshop confirmed the importance of small-scale fisheries as a contributor to poverty alleviation, food and nutrition security, and economic development in the Caribbean region. The SSF Guidelines should complement existing international instrumentslike the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) and international human rights instrument.The workshop confirmed the existence of a number of relevant regional initiatives which support the harmonization of national policies, including fisheries policies. Recognizing the particular situation of small island developing countries participants stressed the need to build on these institutions and mechanisms for the future implementation of the SSF Guidelines.The SSF Guidelines should be a set of ideals to empower the sector and it will be important to create awareness of the potential of small-scale fisheries - if these are to be supported and not marginalized -and to build political will at all levels. Theworkshop agreed that the SSF Guidelines can become a powerful tool in achieving sustainable governance and development of the sector. Support for their implementation will be important, requiring concerted efforts and organizational development and strengthening of capacities at all levels.