Algiers, Algeria – More than 200 persons met last week in Algiers on the occasion of a Regional Conference[1]to discuss the major priorities and challenges for the future of small-scale fisheries in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. After three days of fruitful discussions, all participants agreed that it was time to take efforts to the next level and implement a plan of action in order to develop efficient mechanisms and coordinated strategies to secure a future for this crucial sector in this region. The participatory approach was put forward as a cornerstone for this action plan, which should be carried out at the regional, national and local levels and which should involve the fishers themselves in order to best consider their needs.

“An important step has been made”, said Abdellah Srour, Executive Secretary of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), “since it has been proposed to create a permanent working group under the aegis of the GFCM. The socio-economic importance of small-scale fisheries activities for the region and their strong potential under a Blue Growth perspective have been recognized. We hope that this working group will pool efforts to implement a concerted strategy for sustainable small-scale fisheries in the whole region.”

The conference culminated with the adoption of conclusions which seek to steer future activities to be implemented within this regional strategy. In particular, the important role to be played by small-scale fisheries in the marine and maritime economy within Blue Growth strategies was stressed. Considering the need to properly manage this sector while also preserving living marine resources, co-management and the involvement of fishers within marine protected areas were recognized as key drivers to ensure commitment and compliance with the rules, resolve conflicts and ensure an efficient management of sustainable development of small-scale fisheries. Moreover, all conference participants concurred that there is a need to improve the socio-economic conditions of fishers and fish workers, so as to improve their contribution to national economies. Improving socio-economic conditions requires, among others, better access to funding, credit and markets, stronger connections with public administrations and institutions, the valorization of small-scale fisheries products, the diversification of livelihoods, decent working conditions, better social protection, the empowerment of women within the sector and mechanisms to overcome marginalization of the sector, to name a few. In light of these requirements, tailoring the implementation of the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) to the specificities of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea should be an important step. This work should take place on the basis of a regional survey, which would enable the collection of accurate and complete information on small-scale fisheries and their importance in each country, as well as through a regional programme, which would provide countries with technical assistance and capacity-building activities. Finally, the conference participants advocated cooperation, networking and platforms not only at the national but also at the regional level, to promote the role of fishers and make their voice heard in all relevant fora, including international organizations and decision-making bodies.

“The SSF Guidelines are both voluntary and negotiated. This is particularly important from the point of view of inclusiveness, which was a major element during their negotiation and implementation.  This is also singnificant in the Blue Growth Initiative since we are working in the Blue Growth Community Framework where inclusiveness both for the individual and the community is central to achieve our objectives” declared Árni M. Mathiesen, Assistant Director General, FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department.

The conference gathered participants from Albania, Algeria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Egypt, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Montenegro, Morocco, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, the Russian Federation and Ukraine, as well as representatives of the European Union, international and intergovernmental organizations, NGOs, professionals and experts from all over the world. The opening and closing ceremonies were attended by high-level representatives from the Algerian government, the United Nations and the FAO.

“This conference was a unique opportunity to share knowledge, exchange ideas and devise concrete solutions, both at the national and regional level, to implement future strategies for the sector and to ensure its sustainable development. Algeria was willing to host this event to show the importance that the country gives to small-scale fisheries in its national strategies as well as in its actions with partners in the region”, said Sid Ahmed Ferroukhi, Algerian Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries.

In a region where fisheries are dominated by small-scale fishing activities – at least 60 percent of fishers in the Mediterranean and Black Sea (or approximately 150 000 people) work in the small-scale sector – and where the identity, culture and values of many local communities are largely based upon these activities, it is high time that the sector takes its rightful place.