Why SSF?

The majority of the world fisheries is small-scale. According to some estimates, the number of small-scale fishers ranges from 15 to 35 million people, contributing as high as 65 to 90% to the total world fisheries production. Beyond the high number of fishers and level of production, small-scale fisheries mean jobs, livelihoods, food security and cultural identity to millions of people who depend on them. In numerous instances, they play an important role in supporting conservation and maintaining healthy ecosystems.

As many fisheries around the world face challenges brought about by factors such as over-exploitation, habitat destruction, pollution, unplanned development, over-population, and climate change, there is a need to understand the root causes of the problems and the social, ecological and economic consequences that they induce. These issues and solutions vary between small-scale and large-scale fisheries, and within each sector. The focus on small-scale fisheries at WSFC helps draw attention to the overall importance of this sector, the specificity of small-scale fisheries around the world, and the contributions that this sector can make to reverse some of the existing dire situations and to safeguard against future mishaps.