This publication contains the report of the Working Group's second session, held in Thailand in November 2003, which included 19 experts from 15 countries covering a range of disciplines related to small-scale fisheries. Issues discussed included a research agenda based on five main themes including policy and institutional arrangements; and the importance of small-scale fisheries to national economies, food security and poverty reduction.
The session agreed on a vision statement and on a characterization of small-scale fisheries as well as on a research agenda of five main themes. It elaborated preliminary drafts of two separate technical documents on the contribution, role and importance of small-scale fisheries and research agenda for small-scale fisheries and requested that the documents be submitted, after finalization by the Secretariat, to the ACFR at its next session
This document includes eight studies showcasing good practices in support of sustainable small-scale fisheries. FAO commissioned these studies aiming to share experiences and promote the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). The case studies were also intended to promote participatory approaches – in line with the SSF Guidelines principles – and to promote increased interaction between research and fishing communities, including the use of traditional knowledge and participatory research. It is hoped that the case studies will inform policy and policy processes and, in this way, promote sustainable small-scale fisheries according to the SSF Guidelines and the human rights-based approach to development (HRBA). The case studies constitute a rich selection of experiences and are diverse, not only with regard to their geographical setting but also in scope and approach. They span from looking at one specific tool for sharing experiences (the fisheries learning exchanges methodology in Madagascar and Mozambique) or examining the enabling environment in a specific thematic area (disaster risks in Bangladesh), to regional policy formulation on small-scale fisheries (the SSF Guidelines protocol for Caribbean policies) and reflection on how to use the SSF Guidelines in participatory processes (the Myanmar step-by-step approach to discussions with small-scale fisheries communities). A few of the papers look at co-management, in some cases combining fisheries management and social development (Senegal, Uruguay and Nepal), with one focusing on the role of small-scale fisheries and community organizations (India). Generally, the case studies refer to HRBA but, perhaps because many of the activities have taken place in the past, it seems that HRBA has rarely been consciously and explicitly implemented. Still, the case studies bear witness to a number of experiences and practices that are clearly steps in the right direction. Key good practices emerging from the studies refer to, among other things, holistic approaches to co-management and social responsibility; broad engagement, inclusiveness and partnerships; the power of communication; and gender equality and the role of women. As more experience is gained, our knowledge of how to go about implementing the SSF Guidelines will improve and nurture new and continued initiatives. For the present and the future, efforts should be made to apply HRBA, while continuing to share experiences and good practices showing how to do so when implementing the SSF Guidelines.
The adoption of Voluntary Guidelines to Support the Progressive Realization of the Right to Adequate Food in the Context of National Food Security (Right to Food Guidelines) in 2004 and the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) in 2014 were two major achievements in the effort to ensure food security and nutrition. This handbook has been developed to support the joint implementation of the SSF Guidelines and the Right to Food Guidelines through an integrated approach and to increase policy coherence and uptake. The document provides an overview of the contents of these voluntary guidelines and identifies potential synergies. It also explains the human rights-based approach and discusses some crucial areas, with special attention to the specific roles and responsibilities of key actors. This document is primarily directed at those involved in the integration of the SSF Guidelines and the Right to Food Guidelines into national policies and development programmes targeting the small-scale fisheries sector in the context of food security and nutrition. However, it can be equally interesting to other stakeholders who take part in the implementation of the provisions of both instruments in their day-to-day activities and who are concerned with the sustainability of the small-scale fisheries sector. The adoption of the Right to Food Guidelines in 2004 and the SSF Guidelines in 2014 were two major achievements in the effort to ensure food security and nutrition.
This report presents the design and results of a baseline survey with respect to a project of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) focusing on empowering women in small-scale fisheries. The project supports the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (the SSF Guidelines), giving particular attention to the post-harvest sector in seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa: Ghana, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Madagascar, Namibia, and two countries in Asia: Indonesia and the Philippines. The results of the first five countries were published separately, as the project collected data in these countries in 2020—2021, with the additional four countries presented in this report added to the project in mid-2021.
Most small-scale fisheries are in developing countries and many live in poor and food insecure communities. These guidelines considers how small-scale fisheries can contribute to poverty alleviation and food security, and complement existing technical guidelines on sustainable fisheries. Issues discussed include: participation by small-scale fishers and their communities in development of policy and regulation measures, as well as in management decision-making and implementation processes; cross-sectoral uses of fisheries and related resources; the special role of women in fish marketing, processing and value addition; the significant scope for trade; financing; information research and communication aspects.
This Small-scale Fisheries Brief is tailored to provide insight into the contribution of small-scale fisheries to healthy food systems and sustainable livelihoods in the the Southern African Development Community (SADC). [Author] SADC comprises 16 Member States that lie in southern sub-Saharan Africa. [Author] The region is rich in aquatic resources, with vast inland waterbodies and marine waters. [Author] The fisheries sector generates immense social, economic and nutritional value, which acts as a lifeline for millions of people within the region. [Author] In 2021, over 3. [Author]1 million tonnes of fish were harvested from freshwater and marine capture fisheries in the SADC region. [Author] Capture fisheries are dominated by small-scale fisheries, with many countries having almost exclusively small-scale fisheries relative to large-scale ones. [Author] More than 22. [Author]7 million women and men depend on small-scale fisheries for their livelihoods and subsistence. [Author] Strengthening the commitment and implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) within national policies and plans can help safeguard and enhance small-scale fisheries’ contributions to sustainable development and food systems in the SADC region. [Author] The Illuminating Hidden Harvests initiative has generated new evidence about the value of small-scale fisheries to sustainable development globally and within the SADC; evidence that has informed this brief. [Author]
A manual in support of the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication
A manual in support of the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication
This Manual was developed to provide guidance on how to develop and implement a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (NPOA-SSF). These processes are unique in their kind because they ensure that the voices and concerns of small-scale fisheries are heard and allow them to actively participate in decision-making processes that shape their lives and livelihoods. In doing so, implementing an NPOA-SSF is an effective way to align legal frameworks with the provisions of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication. These Guidelines unite social development with responsible fisheries, hence addressing the marginalization and vulnerability present in the sector, promoting a human rights-based approach.
Small-scale fisheries (SSF) play an important role in food security and poverty reduction. However, this role is not always recognized and many SSF communities remain marginalized, both with regard to resource management and from a broader social and economic perspective. 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. The project “Enhancing the contribution of small-scale fisheries to food security and sustainable livelihoods through better policies, strategies and initiatives” is part of the FAO Umbrella Programme for the promotion and application of the SSF Guidelines. The evaluation of this project provides important lessons and recommendations that will inform the formulation and implementation of related on-going projects under the Umbrella Programme, for enhanced promotion and application of the SSF Guidelines. The evaluation found that the project has succeeded in firmly anchoring SSF considerations in the global fisheries policy and research agendas, and in increasing momentum in regional and national awareness of, and commitment to, the SSF Guidelines. The project has allowed a process of consolidation of the trajectory of change initiated with the adoption of the SSF Guidelines, but more time is needed for benefits to trickle to lower levels of governance and to SSF communities themselves.
This publication contains the report of the Working Group's second session, held in Thailand in November 2003, which included 19 experts from 15 countries covering a range of disciplines related to small-scale fisheries. Issues discussed included a research agenda based on five main themes including policy and institutional arrangements; and the importance of small-scale fisheries to national economies, food security and poverty reduction.
This report presents the design and results of a baseline survey with respect to a project of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) focusing on empowering women in small-scale fisheries. The project supports the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (the SSF Guidelines), giving particular attention to the post-harvest sector in five countries in sub-Saharan Africa: Ghana, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania.
The session agreed on a vision statement and on a characterization of small-scale fisheries as well as on a research agenda of five main themes. It elaborated preliminary drafts of two separate technical documents on the contribution, role and importance of small-scale fisheries and research agenda for small-scale fisheries and requested that the documents be submitted, after finalization by the Secretariat, to the ACFR at its next session
For centuries, fishing has been an activity of great importance for indigenous peoples. They inhabit and relate to water ecosystems, which conserve their cultural heritage, food sovereignty (the right to access healthy and culturally appropriate food) and in many cases are a main source of income. In Central America the situation is not different: today indigenous peoples live in more than 75% of the marine-coastal zones of the Caribbean Sea and extensive areas adjacent to continental waters and the Pacific Ocean, and have in fishing their main incomes. Precisely these areas present the highest indicators of poverty and malnutrition in the region. Taking this context into account, FAO and FILAC joined forces to promote the implementation of the voluntary guidelines for the sustainability of small-scale fisheries (DV-PPE) in the context of food security and the eradication of poverty. They organized the international course "Voluntary Guidelines for the Sustainability of Small Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and the Eradication of Poverty for Indigenous Peoples of Central America". During the course, government representatives, indigenous leaders and indigenous fishermen from six countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Nicaragua) gathered to learn, share, advocate, dialogue and build a roadmap to implement in their countries.
Food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition have been on the rise in recent years, due to disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing climate shocks and conflicts. Decades of steady progress to reduce food insecurity and malnutrition were often attributed to increased food production and intensification of few food staple crops and livestock, however more recent focus has shifted to the role of small-scale producers and the importance of diverse and nutritious foods. This technical paper brings focus to the often overlooked ‘small fish’ which play an integral role in the food security, nutrition and livelihoods of the small-scale fisherfolk who harvest, process, market, trade and distribute small fish to communities near and far from water bodies. The technical paper explores the various dimensions of the ‘small fish food system’, addressing drivers, scales, interactions and multiple outcomes and trade-offs, such as that of small fish used for food versus feed. Throughout, the work applies a human-centred perspective, emphasizing how people are involved in various stages of a food system, and how interactions and networks between them play a role in food system dynamics and outcomes. It is also emphasizes how people play multiple roles within a food system, and thus should not be narrowly defined as fishers, processors or consumers. The paper documents project implementation and lessons from the FAO subprogramme titled “Implementing the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines for gender equitable and climate resilient food systems and livelihoods”, and the SmallFishFood, Ikan-F3, Dried Fish Matters, and Fish4Food projects led by the University of Bergen, the University of Amsterdam and the University of Manitoba.
This photostory book celebrates the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022 (IYAFA 2022) by showing the diversity of the small-scale fisheries and aquaculture sector in Asia, as home to the majority of the world's small-scale fishers, fish farmers, and fish workers. The photostory book pays homage to the many women and men at all stages of the small-scale fisheries and aquaculture value chain who are involved in capturing, harvesting, processing and trading. The photostory book introduces the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022 and shows how the celebration of IYAFA 2022 contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and provides an impetus towards the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication and the United Nations Decade on Family Farming.
This publication contains the report of the Working Group's second session, held in Thailand in November 2003, which included 19 experts from 15 countries covering a range of disciplines related to small-scale fisheries. Issues discussed included a research agenda based on five main themes including policy and institutional arrangements; and the importance of small-scale fisheries to national economies, food security and poverty reduction.
In March 2020, a regional inception workshop was held in Ghana a project of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) entitled Enhancing the contribution of small-scale fisheries to food security and sustainable livelihoods through better policies, strategies and initiatives. This is the report from the workshop. The project promotes the application of the principles of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (the SSF Guidelines) in FAO member countries and regions. The project end date was originally in December 2019 but was extended for another year into 2020 to focus on the issue of empowering women in fisheries for sustainable food systems. Accordingly, the project will support women in small-scale fisheries, particularly in the postharvest sector, with a view to improving food security and nutrition and promoting gender equality. In 2020, related activities will begin in Ghana, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. The project will also support sharing lessons learned and good practices, and it will help to strengthen institutional structures at the regional and global levels.
The Expert Consultation was convened in order to elaborate guidelines on the policies and actions needed to increase the contribution of small-scale fisheries to poverty alleviation and food security. The Consultation noted that there is little reference to poverty alleviation and insufficient coverage of small-scale fisheries in the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, and recommended the development of a new article on "Small-scale Fisheries and Povery Alleviation.
The GFCM 2030 Strategy for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in the Mediterranean and Black Sea offers a common vision and guiding principles to achieve sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in the region, federating efforts to deliver on national, regional and global commitments. Building upon the progress made and concerted action between all stakeholders, it addresses the social, economic and environmental aspects of sustainability in order to build resilience to respond to global challenges. The GFCM 2030 Strategy upholds the heritage of fisheries and aquaculture as pillars for the livelihoods of coastal communities, championing a productive and sustainable food system that contributes to thriving economies and healthy ecosystems. It is articulated in five distinct targets that each contribute to this overarching vision for sustainability: Target 1 focuses on healthy seas and productive fisheries; Target 2 aims to ensure a level playing field to eradicate all illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; Target 3 helps realise the potential of a growing aquaculture sector; Target 4 supports livelihoods through decent employment and fishers engagement; and Target 5 fosters capacity development through technical cooperation and efficient partnerships across the region. The GFCM 2030 Strategy addresses regional priorities while taking into account local needs and specificities through a subregional approach. Covering a ten-year span, the GFCM 2030 Strategy is aligned with a global agenda. The successful achievement of its targets relies on the commitment of the GFCM Membership in adopting and implementing relevant decisions and in supporting its overarching vision.
Topics discussed at this meeting included options for enhancing regional fishery bodies and the FishCode Strategy for Improving Information on Status and Trends of Capture Fisheries partnership; a review of progress by member organisations; aquaculture statistics; issues related to vessel and port classification; fishery data quality indicators; and the status of FishStat Plus.
Regional small-scale fisheries action plan to implement the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable SSF in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication within the African Union policy framework, Dakar, 23?25 July 2018
Regional small-scale fisheries action plan to implement the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable SSF in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication within the African Union policy framework, Dakar, 23?25 July 2018
Following the endorsement of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) by the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) in June 2014, and in line with Paragraph 13.6 of the SSF Guidelines promoting the development of regional plans of action for their implementation, a regional consultation was held to discuss the implementation of the SSF Guidelines in West and Central Africa. The objective of the consultation was to raise awareness of the important role of the small-scale fisheries sector and how this is addressed in the African Union’s Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa (PFRS), the ECOWAS regional fisheries and aquaculture policy (under development with support from the FIRST programme), and the SSF Guidelines. It also provided an opportunity to share experiences and identify actions needed to support and promote small-scale fisheries in the CECAF region.
Marine and inland fisheries provide millions of people around the globe with food security and livelihood opportunities. Advancing knowledge on how the world’s marine and inland capture fisheries are accessed, used, and managed using various types of rights-based approaches (RBAs) is a crucial step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and attaining food and nutrition security and livelihood benefits. The Global Conference on Tenure and User Rights in Fisheries 2018 created a neutral platform for a wide variety of participants, including government officials; fishers from industrial, small-scale and indigenous/traditional communities; fisheries-related stakeholders; nongovernment organizations (NGOs); civil society organizations (CSOs); intergovernmental organizations (IGOs); and academics from around the world. Sharing perceptions and experiences, participants exchanged information and concrete examples through case studies on how tenure and RBAs can harmonize the concepts of responsible fisheries, social and economic development as well as ideas and concerns about the fair and equitable application of user rights in capture fisheries. UserRights 2018 was a unique event that brought together both technical expertise and practical case studies, with the objective of using this diverse knowledge to advance the SDGs.
At a global level there is increasing recognition of the role that fisheries policies and social protection can jointly play in combating poverty and hunger, whilst simultaneously promoting sustainable natural resources management. Efforts are being made at the country level to bring together these two domains, but more needs to be done. For fisheries-dependent communities, the full range of benefits derived from greater coherence between fisheries policies and social protection is not yet widely understood; nor are the means through which improved coherence can be promoted. This Framework for analysis and action seeks to fill these knowledge gaps. By drawing from concrete country experiences, the Framework for analysis and action clarifies the benefits of strengthening coherence between fisheries policies and social protection, and identifies options for achieving improved coherence through policy and programming.
This document outlines a roadmap for the transformation of aquatic food systems - ‘Blue Transformation’, providing a compass for the FAO’s work on aquatic food systems for the period 2022–2030. This roadmap for Blue Transformation aligns with the 2021 Declaration for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022–2031. It focuses on the elements that would maximize the contribution of aquatic food systems to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Blue Transformation roadmap recognizes the importance of aquatic food systems as drivers of employment, economic growth, social development and environmental recovery, which all underpin the SDGs. It also recognizes the need to support the 2030 Agenda through the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable aquatic food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
The Second Meeting of the Regional Fisheries Data and Statistics Working Group (FDS-WG) was convened online in three (3) sessions with the main session on 12–16 October 2020, extended session on 25–28 May 2021 and conclusion session on 10 March 2022. The Regional FDS-WG is a joint working group of the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC), the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), and Organization for Fisheries and Aquaculture of Central America (OSPESCA). The second meeting of the FDS-WG contributed to: • review the FDS-WG first meeting intersessional work and develop consensus and identify remaining work needed for technical session topics (vessel mapping, sub area and divisions, list of main and reference species, WECAFC-FIRMS stocks and fisheries inventory, Small-Scale Fisheries Matrix, and Data Collection Reference Framework and standards); • review country updates on national data collection systems, vessel registries, continuing challenges and needs; • identify, prioritize, and develop a criteria list of national countries capacity-building projects; • review the FDS-WG Terms of Reference; and • develop the FDS-WG2 Workplan for 2020–2022, including recommendations in preparation for the extended session, and initiate WG recommendations for the WECAFC Scientific Advisory Group (SAG).
The SSF Guidelines are based on internationally accepted human rights standards and are to be interpreted and implemented in accordance with those standards. Their objectives are to be met through the promotion of a human rights-based approach (HRBA). This approach seeks to ensure the participation of small-scale fishing communities in non-discriminatory, transparent and accountable decision-making processes by putting particular emphasis on the needs of vulnerable and marginalized groups and developing countries. While the HRBA has been recognized by FAO as a principle that informs the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes and projects,1 there is still limited experience in its practical application in the context of small-scale fisheries (SSF). It is therefore important to explore how the approach could support the implementation and monitoring of the SSF Guidelines. Accordingly, the workshop on “Exploring the human rights-based approach in the context of the implementation and monitoring of the SSF Guidelines” explored what the human rights-based approach means within the context of small-scale fisheries in general and the thematic areas covered by the SSF Guidelines in particular. It discussed what the HRBA entails in terms of the conduct of the various state and non-state actors to whom the SSF Guidelines are addressed as well as the needs of the different stakeholders in the various policy areas, with a view to developing guidance materials for the application of the HRBA in the implementation and monitoring of the SSF Guidelines.
The Thirty-fifth Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) was held in Rome, Italy, from 5 to 9 September 2022. This is a report of the Session reflecting the discussions which took place and containing all recommendations and decisions taken by the Committee. A synopsis of the outcome of the Session is presented in the abstract and all supplementary information is included in the appendixes.
Proceedings of the South Asia FAO-BOBLME Regional Consultation on the Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication
Proceedings of the South Asia FAO-BOBLME Regional Consultation on the Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication
This publication gives an overview of the small-scale fisheries sector in South Asian countries and proposes actions to support SSF implementation, through SSF focal points in fisheries administrations, secure funding, and public-private partnerships.
This document contains the report of the fourth meeting of the Part 6 Working Group established by the Parties to the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (hereinafter referred to as the Agreement or the PSMA), held in Rome, Italy, on 4 April 2023. The Part 6 Working Group discussed the requirements of developing States in the implementation of the PSMA, and made concrete recommendations on priority areas for technical assistance and capacity development. The Part 6 Working Group also discussed the status of implementation of the Terms of Reference for the Funding Mechanisms under Part 6 of the PSMA, and noted the need to increase funding to assist developing States in the implementation of the Agreement through, among others: (i) earmarked contributions to FAO for specific project(s) and programme(s); (ii) contributions to the multilateral partner PSMA Part 6 Trust Fund administered by FAO.
The workshop on How to leverage the Illuminating Hidden Harvests approach for better small-scale fisheries data explored how the results and methodology of the study Illuminating Hidden Harvests: The contributions of small-scale fisheries to sustainable development study (IHH) can be leveraged to support the improvement of small-scale fisheries data, with a view to inform management and policy. [Author] The IHH is a global initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Duke University and WorldFish carried out in support of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). [Author] The IHH report, published in March 2023, provides new evidence about the benefits, interactions and impacts of small-scale fisheries to inform policy and practice. [Author] This workshop focused on sub-Saharan Africa as a starting point; however, in the future, collaboration and support could extend to other regions. [Author] The workshop concluded that there is considerable value in both the IHH approach and the data already collected that can be capitalized on, at both national and regional levels, taking country priorities into account. [Author] Small-scale fisheries organizations should be further empowered for engagement in relevant policy processes by equipping them with IHH data and information, and partnerships should be sought also outside the fisheries sector. [Author] Tailored communication pathways and products for diverse audiences will be needed, including multiple language translations and simplified versions of the IHH report. [Author] Using the IHH results and approach wisely will help improve the knowledge on the subsector and contribute to sustainable development. [Author]
The Ninth Meeting of the Regional Fishery Body Secretariats’ Network (RSN-9) brought together Secretariats of regional fishery bodies (RFBs) with diverse mandates from all geographic regions, including FAO and non-FAO regional fishery bodies, marine and inland fishery advisory and management bodies and agreements, the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and other invited organizations. RSN-9 took place immediately before and after the Thirty-fifth Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI-35), which was held from 5 to 9 September 2022. As was the case with COFI, RSN-9 met in hybrid format, in person and virtually, via videoconference, to facilitate the participation of those who could not assist personally. For the first time, the meeting was convened over three days. The meeting allowed participants to exchange views and discuss global processes of particular relevance to RFBs. In addition, RSN-9 provided the opportunity to discuss the development and strengthening of RSN, which included the adoption of the RSN terms of reference and the subsequent amendment of the RSN rules of procedure, as well as a space for reflection on the outcomes of COFI 35 and their implications for regional fishery bodies. The meeting had a high level of participation, which underlined the role of the Network as a unique forum to foster cooperation, facilitate discussion and share experiences.
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