The FishCode STF project has supported the Nicaraguan Institute for Fisheries and Aquaculture (INPESCA) with the preparation of a development strategy for the artisanal fisheries sector addressing food security and poverty reduction. The ultimate objective of the project was an increased and ecologically sustainable contribution of small-scale fisheries to development, food security and the alleviation of poverty. The immediate objective was to increase the profile of artisanal fisheries into national policies related to development, food security and poverty reduction.

As information on artisanal fisheries was lacking, a national institutional platform for collaboration/coordination on issues related to small scale fisheries, food security and poverty alleviation was established. The platform consisted of representatives of all stakeholders in the artisanal fisheries sector, like (but not limited to):

• INPESCA
• The federation of small scale fishers (Federación Nicaraguana de Pescadores Artesanales, FENICPESCA)
• The fisheries research institute (Centro de Investigaciones Pesqueras, INPESCA/CIPA)
• Regional autonomous governments (Gobierno Regional de la Región Autónoma de Atlántico Norte, GRAAN, Gobierno Regional de la Región Autónoma de Atlántico Sur, GRAAS)
• The central American organization for fisheries and aquaculture (Organización del Sector Pesquero y Acuícola del Istmo Centroamericano OSPESCA)
• The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Ministerio Agropecuario y Forestal, MAGFOR)
• The National Institute on Development Information (Instituto Nacional de Información de Desarrollo, INIDE)

This platform initiated two surveys to address the lack of information: an ad-hoc socio-economic survey, and a routine catch and effort assessment survey. The information which was generated from the surveys was used to develop a National Strategy for Artisanal Fisheries related to Food Security and Poverty. This strategy could be included into the National Development Plan for Nicaragua.

You can find the developed strategy following this link:

ESTRATEGIA PARA EL DESARROLLO SOSTENIBLE DE LA PESCA ARTESANAL, LA SEGURIDAD ALIMENTARIA Y LA REDUCCIÓN DE LA POBREZA DE LAS FAMILIAS VINCULADAS