Hvis man tror, at det kun er de store industri-trawlere, der skaffer fisk på middagsbordet verden over, kan man godt tro om igen; for millioner af småfiskere, de fleste i Den 3. Verden, står for halvdelen af alle fangster – og nu skal de anerkendes og hjælpes.
ROME, 10 June 2014 (FAO): Countries Tuesday endorsed a set of wide-reaching guidelines that will boost the already vital role of small-scale fishers in contributing to global food security, nutrition (ernæring) and poverty eradication.
The “Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication” are designed to support the world’s millions of small-scale fishers, particularly in developing countries, by promoting their human rights and safeguarding the sustainable use of the fishery resources they depend upon for their livelihoods.
Small-scale fisheries account for more than 90 percent of the world’s capture fishers and fish workers – about half of whom are women – and supply around 50 percent of all global fish catches.
They provide a valuable source of animal protein for billions of people worldwide and often underpin local economies in coastal and lake- and river-side communities.
Important, but still marginalized
Despite their importance, many small-scale fishing communities continue to be
Often located in remote areas with limited access to markets and to health, education and other social services, small-scale fishers can have difficulty in making their voices heard.
Small-scale fishers and fish workers face a range of challenges, from unsafe and unhealthy working conditions and poor infrastructure to pollution, environmental degradation, climate change and disasters threatening the resources they depend on for their livelihoods.
They can also suffer from unequal power struggles and insecure tenure arrangements over land and fishery resources.
“These guidelines are a breakthrough”
The Voluntary Guidelines endorsed Tuesday are accordingly broad, ranging from measures to improve fisheries governance systems and working and living conditions to recommendations on how countries can help small-scale fishers and fish workers cut down post-harvest food losses and waste.
“These guidelines are a breakthrough. They are an important tool that will promote the implementation of national policies that will help small scale fishers thrive, and play an even greater role in ensuring food security, promoting good nutrition, and eradicating poverty. FAO is committed to helping countries implement these guidelines,” said FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva.
“It is fitting this achievement should come this year, as we celebrate family farming and are working to focus attention on the needs of small-scale food producers. I want to congratulate and thank all those involved in the process that has led to today’s achievement”, noted he.
Árni M. Mathiesen, FAO Assistant Director-General for Fisheries and Aquaculture, added:
“The guidelines will help small-scale fishers know and exercise their existing rights, and take charge of their own development.”
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Læs videre på http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/234115/icode
Se også telegrammet
http://www.u-landsnyt.dk/nyhed/09-06-14/millionst-tte-fra-m-rsk-fond-til-dansk-fiskeriproj
