Driving the sustainability of small-scale fisheries and aquaculture in Southeast Asia

Abstract

Small-scale fishing is predominated in Southeast Asian fisheries, whether they are in coastal or inland waters. Small-scale fisheries and aquaculture have the potential to significantly contribute to poverty reduction and food security in Southeast Asia. However, they face habitat degradation and resource depletion, poverty, and restricted access to market and financial products and services, as well as public infrastructures such as health care, education, and communication. To address such concerns, several approaches have been initiated.

This article, therefore, covers the gradual development of regional and national programs and policies focusing on small-scale fisheries and aquaculture in the region to address the persistent social, economic, and ecological issues such as the developing of international and regional guidelines, enabling policies that can operationalize and safeguard community fishing rights and gender inclusion, integrating aquaculture into rural development, restoring fishery resources and habitats, promoting safety at sea for small-scale fishing vessels, developing technologies to reduce post-harvest losses in small-scale and traditional fish and fishery products, and facilitating access to markets of small-scale fisheries and aquaculture. The key achievements and activities of SEAFDEC, Member Countries, and relevant institutions toward the sustainable development of small-scale fisheries and aquaculture in the region are highlighted in this article to commemorate the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022 (IYAFA 2022).