Fish2Sustainability

Small-scale fisheries (SSF) are the backbone of the economy and society in many coastal countries, providing income and food security to millions of people. SSF remain however poorly known due to their diversity and complex social-spatial structures. Although often simply considered as a resource use problem, the sustainability of SSF extends well beyond Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 and relates to community livelihoods, markets, political economy, among other factors, which has a determinant role on SSF viability. This project will create/strengthen national-level SSF communities of practice in six countries (Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya, Madagascar, Mexico & Nigeria) and help summarize existing knowledge related to the interactions between SSF and SDGs in those countries. We will first develop a rapid appraisal framework, based on key indicators and descriptions of interactions, that will help characterize the interactions between SSF and SDGs. In a second time, we will use this approach in each of the six countries by engaging with diverse stakeholders, helping create a community of practices at the interface between SSF and SDGs. This will help assess evidence-informed synergies and trade-offs between SDGs. Finally, we will analyze the data collected, comparing and contrasting the findings of each country and identifying data, knowledge, and policy gaps. Findings will then be shared with stakeholders from those countries in order to help them identify potential pathways for sustainability in their own national context as well as international organizations in order to help inform policies. Beyond scientific findings, this work will support transformative changes in SSF from the local to the international levels in order to better contribute to SDGs.