Indigenous Peoples & the Ocean
Indigenous peoples and small-scale fishers have knowledge relevant to environmental protection, sustainable blue economics, and climate change.
Small-scale fisheries should respect all cultures as well as traditional and local knowledge. Learn about the importance of recognizing the role of indigenous communities and ensure their access and rights in managing their fisheries.
Resources
Cases Concerning Indigenous People's Rights and Fisheries
The report is based on previous publications and cases compiled by the Danish Institute for Human Rights, input from the Expert Meeting organised at the margins of the 2023 Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, as well as additional desk research. It was developed and published with financial support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) through the project “Sustainable Oceans – Pursuing a human rights-based approach to fisheries and aquaculture”
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.
Securing sustainable small-scale fisheries: sharing good practices from around the world
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).
Traditional Knowledge of Northern Waters
Traditional Knowledge of Northern Waters 2018 was a project that focused on two iconic Arctic river basins in the Fennoscandian and Russian North – the Skolt Sámi home stream of Näätämö river flowing from Finland to the Barents Sea and Ponoi river on Kola Peninsula, Russia. A third geographical area of the project was the coastal community of Sosnovka which is in close proximity to the Ponoi river mouth. The project benefitted from previous scientific work that commenced in the area 2006.
The project was led by the Snowchange Cooperative (FI) with House of Culture (Lovozero, Russia) and CBM – Swedish Biodiversity Center being project partners together with Sámi organisations. Funding was provided by NEFCO PECC-1 Programme.
Territories of Life: 2021 Report
Territories of Life: 2021 Report is a local-to-global analysis of territories and areas conserved by Indigenous peoples and local communities (sometimes abbreviated as “ICCAs” or “territories of life”). This multi-scale approach weaves together diverse perspectives, insights and new findings about the grassroots global phenomenon of territories of life while also creating space for nuance and complexity. Overall, the report adds to a growing body of literature on the incontrovertible role of Indigenous peoples and local communities in ensuring a healthy planet for all, and the urgent actions required to support them.
Actioning the Monterey Framework: Stories from Around the World
The Monterey Framework is a collectively agreed-upon definition of socially responsible seafood with input and backing from over two-dozen environmental and human rights organizations and voluntary commitments from an equal number of seafood businesses.
IUCN Guidelines for gathering of fishers' knowledge for policy development and applied use
"These voluntary IUCN Guidelines for gathering of fishers’ knowledge for policy development and applied use (the “Fishers’ Knowledge Policy Development Guidelines”) provide much needed practical and theoretical guidance on what and how gathering Fishers’ Knowledge can be utilized in policy development and in society today. Fishers’ Knowledge includes indigenous and traditional knowledge and experienced persons who have been involved in a fishery and community over an extended period of time. "
Guía para fortalecer la gobernanza de la pesca en los territorios indígenas de Centroamérica
La presente guía ha sido desarrollada con los elementos brindados por lo líderes indígenas y pescadores indígenas por medio de la APICA y representantes de las instituciones estatales dedicadas a la desarrollo de la pesca en los países centroamericanos , siendo priorizados y consensuados por los representantes indígenas centroamericanos para valorar la gobernanza de la pesca indígena para la afirmación de la gestión territorial en función del crecimiento económico, la inclusión social y protección ambiental.
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.