Paraguay
In Paraguay, fisheries are managed through temporary fishing closures to protect fish resources. The timing of these closures changes every year and applies to the entire country. While this helps conserve fish stocks, it also limits fishers' ability to earn a living during the closed season. To address this, a compensation scheme has been introduced to support fishers and encourage compliance with the regulations.
The Assistance Programme for Fishers (Programa de Asistencia a Pescadores del Territorio Nacional, in Spanish) provides financial support to fishers during the closed season. The amount of compensation depends on how long the closure lasts. To qualify, fishers must be registered in the national fisheries database and meet a poverty-based eligibility test. The programme supports around 19 648 fishers, with one payment per household. The amount is adjusted based on household size (single, small families, or larger families), although indigenous fishers are exempt from this adjustment.
FAO assessed the adequacy and performance of the Programa de Asistencia a Pescadores, evaluating its use of social registries and socioeconomic impacts. FAO also explored alternative livelihoods and vulnerabilities among fishers. The project helped strengthen collaboration between ministries responsible for social development and agriculture.
Evidence-based policy support
FAO conducted an evaluation of the socio-economic impact of the Assistance Programme for Fishers (Programa de Apoyo a los Pescadores Artesanales, PROAP), as well as a comprehensive assessment of fisher vulnerabilities. The findings revealed that 97% of PROAP beneficiaries do not contribute to the retirement fund, highlighting a significant gap in social security coverage among artisanal fishers. Additionally, only 58% of the beneficiaries are officially registered as fishers, underscoring challenges in formalizing their status within the sector.
FAO also assessed vulnerabilities faced by fishers, including limited access to education, poor housing and sanitation conditions, precarious labour conditions, and no access to pension systems.
Technical tools development
FAO assessed Paraguay's registration systems for small-scale fishers and developed technical tools to facilitate effective fisheries programmes. This included guidelines for implementing a national aquaculture programme spanning five years, mechanisms to formalize and enhance existing associations in the small-scale fishing sector, and guidelines for establishing new associations in fishing communities
Knowledge exchange and dissemination
The Catalyst Working Group was established to improve institutional coordination through inter-ministerial workshops. This group comprises key public ministries from social development, environment and sustainable development, social cabinet, and agriculture and livestock. It was created within the framework of the project "Social Protection for Fisheries and Aquaculture (SocPro4Fish) in Paraguay," funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norway).