Workshop on social protection for the fisheries and aquaculture sector
Description
The workshop on social protection for the fisheries and aquaculture sector, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Brazilian government, took place from November 28th until December 1st, focusing on advancing social protection in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. Through a South-South cooperation exchange, this workshop served as a platform for countries to share ideas, strategies, and experiences in designing and implementing social protection programmes in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
Divided into two parts, the workshop aimed to facilitate detailed discussions and learning opportunities. The first segment hosted an in-depth exchange between Brazil and the countries of the “Social Protection for the Fisheries and Aquaculture Project”, also known as the SocPro4Fish, (Colombia, Paraguay, and Tunisia). This part focused on Brazil's 30 years of experience implementing unemployment insurance during fishing closures (Seguro Defeso), with the aim that this could inform other similar processes being undertaken in Colombia, Paraguay, and Tunisia.
The second part of the workshop offered a broader platform for countries, within and beyond the SocPro4Fish project, to discuss and present their social protection programmes reaching the fisheries sector. This segment included presentations and discussions, exploring the different dimensions of social protection programmes as concerned with the fisheries and aquaculture sector. Topics ranged from the delivery cycle of these programs to fishers and social registers, revolving funds, community initiatives, alternative livelihood programs, and productive inclusion strategies for fishers during closed seasons. It also featured interactive working groups aimed at examining the coherence between existing fisheries management and social development policies, emphasizing the role of registries in expanding social protection coverage within the fisheries sector. In addition, a panel of fishers highlighted their challenges, vulnerabilities, and welfare needs, offering a first-hand perspective on the realities on the ground.