The “Blue Growth” concept of the FAO appears to provide a new meta-framework that integrates the various concepts and frameworks like the CCRF and EAF that the FAO has already promoted over the last many years. This appears to be the result of a need to provide fishery policy makers and administrators with an over-arching framework that provides coherence between the various frameworks that the FAO has been promoting. More importantly, it appears to provide a new packaging and branding that provide a more “positive” slant on things instead of the usual “gloom and doom” scenarios that emerge from the usual talk of fisheries regulations, IUU fishing, climate change, etc.

In this context, it is important to examine what this Blue Growth idea means to FAO’s brand new instrument, the Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Small Scale Fisheries (VGSSF), or the other way around. As an important partner to the FAO in the entire process of formulation of the VGSSF, the ICSF has a great stake in the implementation of the VGSSF. Hence, the ICSF is giving importance to the task of understanding the implication of Blue Growth for small scale fishermen. Given that the largest numbers of fishers are in the Asia Pacific region, the implications of blue growth are even more important in this region.

This presentation looks at some key elements of VGSSF that need to be taken into consideration while preparing Blue Growth strategies. It emphasises that the “Blue” part of “Blue Growth” in the Asia-Pacific will significantly involve proper consideration of the status of small scale fishers and their communities, provide adequate checks to ensure that growth is not at the expense of small scale fishing communities and that such growth actually benefits them and makes a contribution towards achieving the goals of the VGSSF.

Problems that prevent bringing benefits to people (benefits such as food security and nutrition security) and Problems that prevent improving conditions of people (e.g. improving: working conditions and living conditions of women, men and children; wages, shares; access to housing, health, public services; access to social protection; access to resources and access to markets).....

Documentation activity at ICSF was initiated in 1999; Communication and Dissemination of information on small-scale fisheries as a priority; Information Identification, Collection and Documentation; Timely information dissemination to FWOs; Providing support to ICSF; programmes with quality and content...

The fisheries sector, particularly small-scale fisheries, is the largest employer of men and women in the maritime sector. It is also an important source of food security, nutrition, and livelihood, especially in many developing countries, including small island developing States. Sustainable development of oceans can not only conserve living resources but also optimize the above benefits, particularly if there is effective integration of environmental, economic and social dimensions of sustainable development.

The 2014 Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (the SSF Guidelines)—developed through a ground-up consultation process with active participation of civil society organizations particularly from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as through a negotiation process involving FAO Member States and other stakeholders—provides an example of seeking such an integration. It is articulated through the adoption of a human rights-based approach—an approach based on international human rights standards combining civil and political rights, and economic, social and cultural rights of fishing communities, including men, women and indigenous peoples, with the right to sustainable development--in fisheries.

In addition to ensuring sustainable use of fisheries resources, a human rights-based approach can empower small-scale fishing communities to participate in decision-making processes, benefit vulnerable and marginalized groups in developing countries, address forced labour and child labour in fisheries, and protect the rights of migrant fishers and fishworkers. Adopting such an approach in fisheries would enhance social benefits, in particular, and bring greater visibility to the contribution of small-scale fisheries and fishing communities to global food security and poverty eradication.