Human rights-based approach

Small-scale fishing communities benefit from recognizing the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable human rights of all individuals. Learn how to analyze inequities and apply human rights-based approach principles to small-scale fisheries.

Resources

Human rights-based approach to the implementation and monitoring of the SSF Guidelines - Background Paper

The paper aims to explain and demonstrate what human rights-based approach (HRBA) means in relation to the various thematic areas and actors addressed in the SSF Guidelines.

The rights of Indigenous peoples in the context of fisheries and aquaculture

This brief examines the respect, protection and fulfilment of Indigenous peoples’ rights to marine resources, marine territories and coastal land, and give guidance for indigenous peoples on what can be claimed in relation to specific human rights.

A Human Rights-Based Approach to Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

A fact sheet on a human rights-based approach to sustainable fisheries and aquaculture

Sector-wide Human Rights Impact Assessment (SWIA) in small-scale artisanal fishing communities in Barguna and Cox’s Bazar district of Bangladesh

This report presents the findings of a sector wide human rights impact assessment (SWIA)1 carried out in small-scale artisanal fishing communities in Barguna and Cox’s Bazar Districts in Bangladesh during 2019-2020.

Guidelines for Supporting Fishery Improvement Projects

With the 2022 update, the Guidelines explain how FIPs create opportunities to drive change through collective public-private action to address human rights and labor rights issues. To identify social risks, the Guidelines recommend that FIPs use the Social Responsibility Assessment Tool for the Seafood Sector (SRA), a rapid assessment tool that FIPs can use to identify areas of risk related to social issues, or similar tool.

Empowering Marginalised Actors

To empower marginalised actors to become willing and able to engage proactively with more powerful market actors.

Small-scale fisheries and sustainable development

Key findings from the Illuminating Hidden Harvests report - This brief presents the main results from the Illuminating Hidden Harvests (IHH) report, providing new, clearer insights to support the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) and progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Photostory: The small-scale fisheries and aquaculture sector in Asia: Small in scale, big in value

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.

Small-Scale Fisheries and the Human Right to Adequate Food

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.

Inclusive social development and decent work for enhancing small-scale fisheries resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic

This document is part of a series of briefs framed under the provisions of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). The briefs aim to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the livelihoods and sustainable development of the small-scale fisheries sector and provide examples of coping strategies.

Building resilience to climate change and disaster risks for small-scale fisheries communities

This guide presents a perspective on implementing the climate change and disaster risk elements of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines), with special attention to protecting human rights.

Tackling child labour in fisheries and aquaculture

This background paper presents the challenges, opportunities, and recommendations to tackle child labour in fisheries and aquaculture.

Women's economic empowerment in fisheries - In the blue economy of the Pacific Rim

This report provides a baseline analysis of women’s economic empowerment in the fisheries sector in the blue economy of the Indian Ocean rim region. The report focuses on the 22 Member States of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and includes both marine and inland fisheries and aquaculture sectors.

The ten principles for global transparency

Transparency in the fishing industry is the best weapon we have have against the twin tragedies of illegal fishing and human rights abuse in the sector. EJF has collated ten simple principles for states to follow.

Women's Role, Struggles and Strategies Across Fisheries Value Chain: The Case of Lake Victoria - Tanzania

The focus of this study was on Dagaa (sardines) (Rastrineobola argentea) Fishery which involves mostly women in its overall value chain. The study sites were areas that are specialized in dagaa fishery and these include Lushonga Island located in the Muleba district of Kagera region, Mwanza Kirumba international fish market and in some of the landing beaches in Nyamagana and Ilemela districts in Mwanza.

Free Prior and Informed Consent: An indigenous peoples’ right and a good practice for local communities

This Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) Manual is designed as a tool for project practitioners of a broad range of projects and programmes of any development organization, by providing information about the right to FPIC and how it can be implemented in six steps.

Developing gender-sensitive value chains

FAO’s gender-sensitive value chain framework as an approach for the analysis of value chains, and for guiding interventions to address gender-based constraints. This course discussed why eliminating gender inequalities is pivotal to achieving the necessary transformations.

The Social Responsibility Assessment Tool for the Seafood Sector

The Social Responsibility Assessment Tool for the Seafood Sector, is useful as a diagnostic, benchmarking, or risk-assessment tool for conducting human rights due diligence in seafood supply chains.

Fishers first: Good practices to end labour exploitation at sea

This report is to present, analyse and share good practices and innovative interventions from around the world aimed at eradicating forced labour and other forms of labour exploitation in the fishing industry.

Handbook for improving living conditions on board fishing vessels

This Handbook on improving living and working conditions on board fishing vessels has been developed to assist competent authorities, representative organizations of employers and workers (in particular, representative organizations of fishing vessel owners and fishers), as well as others with an interest in the sector, in order to gain a better understanding of the provisions of Convention No. 188 and Recommendation No. 199.