Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries

in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication

The Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) are the first international instrument dedicated entirely to the immensely important small-scale fisheries sector. They are the result of a long and intensive global bottom-up consultative process.

What makes the SSF Guidelines stand out is that they go beyond fisheries and highlight the rights of fishers and fish workers. In sum, they are about people, not just about fish. The SSF Guidelines are aimed at all actors striving to secure sustainable small-scale fisheries, to end hunger and poverty and strengthen human rights. They are a tool to guide dialogue, policy processes, and action at all levels, from local communities to global fora.

Get to know the SSF Guidelines

The principles in the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) address policies, strategies and legal frameworks concerning small-scale fisheries, but also other matters affecting lives and livelihood in fishing communities. They have a clear human rights-based approach, and they put people, rather than fish, in focus. The SSF Guidelines are global in scope, and they guide dialogue, policy processes and actions at national, regional and international level.

Latest news
02/09/2024
Madagascar's Ministry of Fisheries and the Blue Economy (MPEB - Ministère de la Pêche et de l’Économie Bleue), supported by FAO, officially launched the National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (NPOA-SSF or PAN-PP in French: Plan d’Actions National pour la Petite Pêche)...
02/09/2024
FAO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Fishing and the Blue Economy (MPEB - Ministère de la Pêche et de l’Économie Bleue), supported women's associations in these regions by proving training and equipment for preserving, handling and processing fish products...
Recent publications
05/07/2024

Over the past decade, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has worked to integrate SSF into policy discussions at various levels. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines)...

24/06/2024

Small-scale and artisanal fisheries are vital for global food security, poverty reduction, and sustainable resource management. Despite their importance, these communities often face marginalization. Empowering both men and women in fisheries can lead to improved socioeconomic outcomes and sustainable development.