Towards Blue Justice for Small-Scale Fisheries

Abstract

AbstractAchieving Blue Justice for small-scale fisheries requires a thorough understanding of the root causes of injustices, as well as consistent and concerted efforts to address them. Interventions must take place in all orders of governance. At the meta-order, justice, equity, and human rights principles provide a strong basis to design the second-order institutions that correspond well with the diverse nature and characteristics of small-scale fisheries. Policy reform and legislative change, and other governance transformations like building robust organizations to represent them effectively would be necessary for institutions to foster the viability and sustainability of small-scale fisheries. States and non-state organizations have a role to play in facilitating information-sharing, communication, and participation of small-scale fisheries in decision-making process. Small-scale fisheries also need sectoral organizations for inherent coordination, cooperation, and collective action. At the first order, improving local empowerment, mobilizing grassroots support, and promoting constructive interactions among fisheries stakeholders are imperative. With due attention to Blue Justice, and with a real commitment to implement the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, small-scale fisheries can perform and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.KeywordsSmall-scale fisheriesBlue JusticeCo-governanceSSF GuidelinesSocial transformation