From 5 to 7 July 2024, Rome hosted the second Small-scale Fisheries Summit, an event marking the tenth anniversary of the Voluntary Guidelines for the Sustainability of Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication. The summit, organized to evaluate the current state of implementation of these guidelines and plan future actions, brought together over 300 participants, including representatives of fishing communities, non-governmental organizations, governments and other stakeholders.
The atmosphere at the summit was one of joy and determination. Participants from all over the world shared their experiences and challenges, creating an atmosphere of solidarity and collective commitment. The passionate exchanges and in-depth discussions highlighted the importance of working together to advance the common goals of sustainability and social justice in small-scale fishing.
Speech by the President of CAOPA
At the opening of the summit, Gaoussou Gueye, President of CAOPA (African Confederation of Professional Organizations of Artisanal Fisheries), delivered a touching speech in tribute to Chandrika Sharma, former Executive Secretary of the International support group for small-scale fishing, who died “tragically” in 2014. Mr Gueye recalled the importance of the guidelines for sustainable small-scale fishing, adopted thanks to the tireless efforts of Ms Sharma and thousands of small-scale fishermen.
“The greatest tribute we can pay to Chandrika is for us, men and women of the small-scale fishing industry, to fight together to ensure that these guidelines are implemented in our countries, thereby improving our living and working conditions“.
Mr Gueye also highlighted the urgent challenges facing small-scale fishing communities, including climate change, overexploitation of resources and pressure from other sectors of the blue economy. He stressed the need to adopt participatory and transparent approaches to the management of marine protected areas and the recognition of fishermen’s customary land rights.
Antonia Adama Djalo, vice-president of CAOPA, spoke about the impact of the Voluntary Guidelines on customary land rights and social development. She highlighted the specific challenges faced by women in the small-scale fishing sector, particularly in terms of access to land and resources.
“Coastal areas have become coveted by developers, and women are often evicted from their workplaces. CAOPA felt it necessary to organize a workshop to reflect on this specific case.“
Ms Djalo also stressed the importance of the active participation of fishing communities in decision-making processes, as well as the need to guarantee decent working conditions and access to social security for all small-scale fishing workers.
“I am delighted to congratulate you and thank CAOPA for allowing me to take part in the summit and COFI36. It was an extremely enriching experience, thanks in particular to the exchanges of experience and the good practices shared concerning the Voluntary Guidelines for Small-scale Fishing“, emphasized Gamal Mohamed Mouctar, from Madagascar.
At the summit, he explains, “we discussed ways of resolving the problems associated with land rights in small-scale fishing, particularly through group work”.
He said that his participation had given him a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the artisanal fishing sector, and he is determined to apply this knowledge to improve their practice in Madagascar.
Raissa Madou Leka Nadège, a member of CAOPA’s youth unit, offered a critical and constructive perspective. She points out that ten years after the introduction of the Voluntary Guidelines (VGs), their implementation is still problematic in several countries. Raissa stresses the urgent need for all those involved in the project to speak with one voice in order to move forward coherently and effectively. She calls for better coordination and greater mobilization to overcome the persistent obstacles and achieve the objectives set.
Djalikatou Cherif Haïdara, also a member of the CAOPA youth cell, shared her thoughts on customary rights and social development on the first day of the summit. She stressed the importance of solidarity and sharing experiences to strengthen fishermen’s movements and defend their rights.
“This day gave us the opportunity to get to know each other better, creating a space of solidarity where we could share our struggles and support each other. It gave us the strength to come together and unify our efforts to defend our rights.“
Ms Haïdara also spoke of the challenges posed by new ocean development initiatives, such as aquaculture and tourism, which threaten the customary rights of small-scale fishermen and give rise to conflicts over coastal territories.
Key points
The summit discussions highlighted a number of key points and recommendations for strengthening the implementation of the Guidelines on small-scale fishing:
Recognition and protection of customary land rights :
– Traditional fishing practices and territories must be protected from the threats of industrialization and commercial exploitation.
– Designated areas for fish processing are essential to ensure efficient and conflict-free work. Women’s land rights in fish processing must be recognized and protected.
Community involvement:
– It is crucial that fishing communities are involved in the decision-making processes concerning resource management. This active participation makes it possible to defend the rights of fishermen and ensure sustainable management of resources.
– Recognition of the value of ancestral wisdom and cultural social organization in small-scale fishing is essential for effective fisheries management.
Social development and decent work :
– The Guidelines stress the need to promote social development and ensure decent working conditions for all small-scale fishworkers. This includes access to health services, education and safe and fair working conditions.
– Access to social security and financial services, such as credit and savings banks, is crucial to guaranteeing the stability and well-being of small-scale fishing workers.
Precautionary approach:
– Adopting a precautionary approach means taking measures to protect marine resources even in the absence of complete scientific certainty. This prevents overexploitation and protects critical habitats.
Blue economy and conflicts of interest:
– New ocean development initiatives in the name of the blue economy must be examined in a transparent and participatory manner to avoid conflicts and protect the rights of small-scale fishermen.
– Governments must put in place transparent mechanisms for resolving conflicts between users of maritime spaces and ensure that ocean resource exploitation projects do not harm coastal communities.
The 2024 Small-scale Fisheries Summit was an event rich in exchanges and learning. It highlighted the challenges and opportunities for small-scale fishing communities around the world.
Speeches by CAOPA members underlined the importance of solidarity, active participation and recognition of customary rights to ensure sustainability and social justice in the small-scale fishing sector.
In celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Voluntary Guidelines, the summit was a reminder that, while progress has been made, much remains to be done to ensure that the guidelines are fully implemented and known within artisanal fishing communities. There is still a long way to go, but the discussions and recommendations from this summit provide a solid framework for moving towards a fairer and more sustainable future for artisanal fishers around the world.
Mamadou Aliou DIALLO