SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES DATA

Given that it is impossible to manage what cannot be measured, efforts to collect data of all kinds are being stepped up across the region with the active involvement of fishers themselves. Specifically, the RPOA-SSF promotes:

• the use of participatory data collection systems;
• the establishment of national fleet registers, including for SSF; and
• the integration of fisher local ecological knowledge in management.

SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT MEASURES

An environmentally, socially and economically sustainable future requires careful planning, regulation, monitoring and control to create an equitable sector for SSF actors and to encourage best practices. In this regard, the RPOA-SSF encourages:

• the facilitation of equitable access rights (i.e. access to resources, to landing sites);
• the improvement of selectivity and preservation of biodiversity (i.e. minimization of bycatch, preservation of essential fish habitats);
• the enhancement of technology and equipment (i.e. communications/navigation equipment, catch preservation, gear traceability); and
• the strengthening of monitoring, control and surveillance (i.e. participatory surveillance).

SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES VALUE CHAIN

The RPOA-SSF aims to help small-scale fishers increase the value of their catch and increase their incomes, promoting initiatives such as local cooperatives, certification schemes, direct sales and other forms of value-chain innovation. In particular, the RPOA-SSF urges:

• the strengthening of producer organizations, including by improving market access and profitability;
• the promotion of first processing by fishers and direct sales; and
• the enhancement of consumer awareness and promotion of certification and traceability.

PARTICIPATION OF SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES IN DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES

A sustainable future will be impossible to achieve without the support and participation of the small-scale fishers themselves, so their active involvement in key decisions is a vital strategic aim of the RPOA-SSF. Specifically, the RPOA-SSF promotes:

• the establishment of co-management arrangements;
• the integration of small-scale fishers in a participatory approach for marine protected area management and marine spatial planning processes;
• the reinforcement of legislation for participatory approaches; and
• the establishment of synergies between SSF and other marine economies, including recreational fisheries.

CAPACITY BUILDING

Education, training and technical and financial support are all required to support small-scale fishing communities in diversifying their activities, increasing their incomes and improving their prospects, particularly in the case of women and young people. As such, the RPOA-SSF encourages:

• the establishment of SSF platforms;
• the facilitation of access to funding, education and training;
• the diversification of livelihoods; and
• the provision of technical assistance and sharing of information.

DECENT WORK

Ensuring decent and safe working conditions and social protection for small-scale fishing communities is key to strengthening the resilience of both the current and potential future workforce. The RPOA-SSF calls for:

• the promotion of decent work and the improvement of working conditions (including ratification of ILO C188); and
• the promotion of social protection.

ROLE OF WOMEN

Gender equity is no less important in SSF than any other sector and the RPOA-SSF aims to give women the support they need to play a full role and participate on an equal footing. As such, the RPOA-SSF supports:

• the securing of equal participation in decision-making processes; and
• the development of specific projects targeting women.

CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT

As well as needing particular support to tackle the new challenges posed by a changing climate and disruptions to marine ecosystems, SSF have a central role to play in the Blue Transformation of the Mediterranean and Black Sea region in everything from marine protection to the circular economy. In this regard, the RPOA-SSF promotes:

• the consideration of SSF within the framework of nationally determined contributions;
• the provision of support for SSF communities affected by climate change or disasters;
• the development of innovative solutions for the valorization and utilization of non-indigenous species; and
• the participation of small-scale fishers in the circular economy, such as through the disposal of marine litter and recycling of recovered nets.