A policy and legal diagnostic tool for sustainable small-scale fisheries – In support of the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication

Abstract

This diagnostic tool advances the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) through policy and legal frameworks. It is a key tool for use by any actor, including small-scale fishers, who is interested in contributing to the SSF Guidelines operationalization at the national level. By using this tool, users are able to recognize the national policy and legal instruments that are relevant to small-scale fisheries in a country, consistent with the SSF Guidelines. Users are also able to: assess policy coherence for SSF; assess the alignment of national fisheries policy and legal instruments with the SSF Guidelines; identify gaps and strengths in these instruments; and further propose recommendations for improving the existing national policy and legal framework according with the SSF Guidelines.