The Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) are the first international instrument dedicated entirely to the immensely important small-scale fisheries sector. They are the result of a long and intensive global bottom-up consultative process.
What makes the SSF Guidelines stand out is that they go beyond fisheries and highlight the rights of fishers and fish workers. In sum, they are about people, not just about fish. The SSF Guidelines are aimed at all actors striving to secure sustainable small-scale fisheries, to end hunger and poverty and strengthen human rights. They are a tool to guide dialogue, policy processes, and action at all levels, from local communities to global fora.
Get to know the SSF Guidelines
The principles in the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) address policies, strategies and legal frameworks concerning small-scale fisheries, but also other matters affecting lives and livelihood in fishing communities. They have a clear human rights-based approach, and they put people, rather than fish, in focus. The SSF Guidelines are global in scope, and they guide dialogue, policy processes and actions at national, regional and international level.
Latest news
Passing the baton: bolstering young fishers’ roles for sustainable fisheries resources
23/02/2024
A small fisher, Agus Riyadi realized that the waters around Binuangen, West Java has high fisheries potentials and has been an essential source of livelihood for his family and local communities. “We need to protect the fisheries resources here and actively monitor their utilization, especiall...
New COFI Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management emphasize small-scale fisheries and sustainable fishing practices
26/01/2024
Rome – FAO Members and observers convened virtually from January 15 to 18 to exchange insights and strategies for enhancing fisheries management, considering ecological, social, economic, nutritional and gender objectives. The discussions were particularly geared towards impro...
Recent publications
Small-scale fisheries governance
18/03/2024
The small-scale fisheries subsector is a crucial provider of livelihoods, nutrition, and food security to millions of people all over the world. However, small-scale fishers, fishworkers and their communities face many challenges, including lack of recognition, limited participation in decision-making, unsustainable use of aquatic resources, climate change impacts and conflicting interests with other sectors.
Policy brief: Unlocking the value of Namibia’s small-scale fisheries sector through policy action
12/03/2024
Namibia's small-scale fisheries sector, a cornerstone of the country's economy and social fabric, faces challenges related to unsustainable practices, inadequate infrastructure, and limited market access. To address these challenges and harness the sector's immense potential, this policy brief proposes a set of recommendations
Other relevant instruments
- The Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries
- The Voluntary Guidelines to support the progressive realization of the right to adequate food (the Right to Food Guidelines)
- The CFS Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (the RAI Principles)
- The Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests (the Voluntary Guidelines on Tenure)
- The UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas
- The UN Sustainable Development Goals (the SDGs)
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