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The small-scale fisheries and aquaculture sector in Asia

Small in scale, big in value









FAO and INFOFISH. 2022. The small-scale fisheries and aquaculture sector in Asia  Small in scale, big in value. Bangkok, FAO. 




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    Restoration of productive aquatic ecosystems by small-scale fisheries and aquaculture communities in Asia
    Good practices, innovations and success stories
    2022
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    This report showcases examples of actions taken by small-scale fishers and aquaculture farmers in Asia to restore the productivity of aquatic ecosystems. Small-scale fishers and fish farmers include some of the world’s most marginalized and impoverished people groups, yet their harvests account for over half of the world’s aquatic food production. The marine, coastal and freshwater ecosystems their livelihoods depend upon are degraded from human impacts and further at risk from climate change. Ecosystem restoration actions by fisherfolk communities can revitalize the socio-ecological services and sustain progress over time. Both passive and active restoration approaches are being employed across Asia’s marine, coastal and inland waterways. Fishers, fish farmers, and fishworkers’ restorative actions are focused on increasing the sustainability of their operations. Common approaches include eliminating destructive fishing, reducing overfishing through gear changes and effort control, restoring connectivity of floodplains and fish migration pathways, integrated aquaculture and rice-farming practices, re-stocking of native fisheries, and actively rehabilitating and / or re-establishing habitats. Progress is measurable through a diverse array of environmental, socio-economic and governance related metrics. Changes in fisheries catches, ecological connectivity, water quality, habitat diversity and structure, and fish consumption provide important measures of biodiversity gains (or losses). Common enablers of success include economic incentives, co-management and legal recognition of fishing rights, highly engaged fisherfolk cooperatives or community groups, women’s leadership and development, and community partnerships with stakeholders that focus on enabling fisherfolk’s own goals for sustainable livelihoods. Ecosystem restoration activities have not lasted when these enablers are insufficiently attended to and when environmental aspects of project feasibility, such as the choice of rehabilitation locations and / or species, are poorly planned. Successes in ecosystem restoration by fisherfolk can and are being scaled out to neighbouring communities and countries. Key to this is the sharing of stories, lessons learned and tools through south-south partnerships, learning exchanges, and women’s groups. Simple, low-cost tools and actions have enabled long-term engagement by small-scale fishers in sustainable operations. More complex actions, such as the uptake of integrated aquaculture systems, are also enabling stepwise changes in ecosystem restoration. By sharing stories from different ecosystems, fisheries, and geographies, this report seeks to help fisherfolk and their partners glean from one another and achieve faster progress in ecosystem restoration.
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    Guidelines for increasing access of small-scale fisheries to insurance services in Asia
    A handbook for insurance and fisheries stakeholders
    2019
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    These Guidelines for increasing access of small-scale fisheries to insurance services in Asia have been developed to support the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). The purpose of these Guidelines is fourfold, i.e. • to increase awareness about the needs of small-scale fishers for better risk management, disaster preparedness and insurance services; • to guide policy and decision makers to help introduce insurance services to small-scale fishers, with the ultimate objective to strengthen the sustainability and ecological and economic viability of these fisheries; • to build capacity among insurance providers, fisherfolk organizations, NGOs, and concerned government agencies, to design and implement insurance programmes that suit the needs of small-scale fishing communities and enhance social protection; • to promote insurance services that incentivize and reward a responsible and sustainable conduct of fishing operations and a better preparedness for natural disasters including climate change related challenges. These Guidelines commence by elaborating on the context and framework, in which insurance programmes for small-scale fisheries should be conceived. It is explained why most small-scale fishers are presently not insured. Major risks and consequences faced by fishers are identified. Risks include capsizing, grounding, collision and sinking of vessels; fire on board of vessels or in port; injury or death of crew as a result of above, human errors during navigation or fishing operations; oil spills or other pollution caused by fishing vessels; theft and vandalism, when moored in port; piracy
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    Towards gender-equitable small-scale fisheries. Proceedings of the Expert workshop on gender-equitable small-scale fisheries in the context of the implementation of the SSF Guidelines, Rome, Italy, 28-30 November 2016 2017
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    The Expert Workshop on gender-equitable small-scale fisheries in the context of the implementation of the SSF Guidelines was held on 28-30 November 2016 in FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy. In keeping with the need expressed by various stakeholders during capacity development on the SSF Guidelines, it was considered important to develop gender guidance to support the application of the SSF Guidelines. It was therefore decided that a Gender Implementation Guide be developed to enhance the underst anding of the gender dimensions of small-scale fisheries and support gender equitable small-scale fisheries. Within this context, the Expert Workshop aimed at presenting and discussing a draft implementation guide (referred to subsequently as Gender Guide or Guide) on how to practically apply the SSF Guidelines in relation to gender issues aimed at supporting: 1. Awareness raising, advocacy and capacity development activities on the application of the relevant principles of the SSF Guidelines , as well as 2. The development and implementation of gender-sensitive sectoral and cross-sectoral policy frameworks and investment plans and programs.

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