NEGOMBO DECLARATION on VG-SSF

NAFSO hosted the Work Shop on Voluntary Guidelines on Small Scale Fisheries at Negombo last week. Action Aid International supported to Asia Consultation on VG-SSF which was attended representatives from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The Negombo declaration was prepared and circulated among the participants and I would like to up load it in my Blog. Herman Negombo Declaration 2014 on governance of small scale fisheries We the representatives of national and regional small scale fishers organisations, International support organisations and networks, from nine Asian countries met at Negombo, Sri Lanka on 13-14 January 2014 in order to stock take the existing and emerging challenges faced by Small Scale Fishers in Asia and to discuss critical and open issues related to Voluntary Guidelines on Small Scale Fishery to be shared with CSO negotiation team prior to final round of technical consultation on VG SSF scheduled in February 2014 in Rome. In Asia Small Scale Fishery is an important sector, contributing immensely to food security and livelihoods of the population. The Small Scale Fishery in Asia contributes to over 90% of the fisher population in all over the world which reflects the importance to the global fisheries scenario too. Apart from structural issues, the consultation has illustrated a number of challenges faced by sector and extreme vulnerability of the all associated with this sector, which result into various forms of discriminations against Small Scale Fishers, worsening their conditions. These include climate change threats, threats of eviction and displacement due to development projects like SEZ, Tourism, Nuclear and Thermal Power plants, industrial aqua culture etc. leading to unprecedented land, sea and water body grabbing and resulting into denial of small fishers access to natural and productive resources for pursuing their livelihoods. Moreover, we have noticed steady increase in systematic violations of rights of indigenous fishers, fisherwomen, war affected ethnic minorities and other vulnerable groups by the state and other actors and non implementation of policies which would ensure enabling environment for Small Scale Fishers to exercise their human rights with dignity. Increased pollution due to dumping of nuclear, chemical and garbage wastes, destruction of mangroves, destruction of biodiversity due to industrial fishing practices like usage of harmful fishing gears and explosives and depletion of fish stock due to over fishing have added to the plight of Small Scale Fishers. Women headed households in small scale fisheries are particularly vulnerable. Faulty river water management and absence of sharing policies and practices between countries, lack of uniformity in banning periods, other trans boarder issues like harassments, abduction and imprisonment of small scale fishers across borders, migration, trafficking and violation of human rights have emerged as major challenges. Another major challenge we have noticed is the consistent threat and insecurity faced by the human right defenders involved in this sector. We have also noticed lacunae in legal frameworks in our countries when it comes to recognising Small Scale Fishersy, particularly for fisher women. There is also no comprehensive initiative to promote ecosystem approach to sustainable small scale fisheries. In this context we welcome the initiative of developing Voluntary Guideline (VG)for Small Scale Fishery by member States of FAO. We appreciate the consultative process initiated by FAO and involvement of CSOs in developing the document. We further recognise the fact that the final round of technical consultation will be our last opportunity to enrich the document with grassroots experiences. In this context, after going through the latest version of the negotiated text and CSO position paper, we the participants of this consultation would like to draw attention of policymakers/heads of state to following issues to ensure grounded action:  The Guideline should be made mandatory and not Voluntary  Governance should be retained in the guideline as Governance which enables Small Scale Fisher’s rights to determine their own development paradigm  VG SSF must retain wordings ‘Marginalised and vulnerable groups’ and add marginalised and vulnerable communities, both, should have special attention in the document  VG SSF must ensure that Indigenous people and ethnic minorities among SSF’s are able to enjoy their rights  Reference of WTO should be taken out from VG SSF  VG SSF must ensure that legitimate tenure right holders must enjoy full rights irrespective of the formal recording  VG SSF should highlight the fact that community must have right to manage their natural resources and it should not be disturbed by third parties  Safety in marine and inland fishing should be guaranteed and VG SSF should provide guidance to develop appropriate redressal mechanism for trans-border issues as mentioned above  VG SSF should further ensure mechanism to protect human rights defenders  VG SSF must emphasise on the fact that FPIC must be given full effect in all SSF related interventions  In VG SSF, redistributive reform agenda should be considered in a way to benefit SSF, with specific benefits to women.  In VG SSF emphasis should be given on revitalising traditional and customary institutions in SSF VG SSF must promote Small Scale Fishers access to full range of social security guaranteed by the state  Small Scale Fishers must have access to full range of social security guaranteed by the state  We recognise the fact that many SSF operate in informal economy and thus it is imperative to incorporate informal economy in the guideline  We strongly recommend the accountability of the States over the full pledged implementation of the VG-SSF, and that guideline provides a Monitoring and Evaluation framework incorporating adequate participation of CSOs  Finally we recommend that the guideline provide a broad definition of ‘Small Scale’ to be further interpreted in respective country context We recognise the importance of grounding VG SSF in national policies and practices. We strongly demand genuine political will and commitment from our national governments to implement the guidelines, to recognise and promote SSF in our countries. We also demand that the State representatives are adequately equipped with detailed information on small scale fishery in their respective countries and take effective part in any consultation related to VG SSF. We demand to our Governments; • Immediately stop development induced displacement of Small Scale Fishers (land and ocean grabbing) • Recognise Small Scale Fishers and in particular fisherwomen and ensure gender sensitive policies • Review and revise fisheries policies, laws and rules in light of VG SSF • Carry forward gender sensitive redistributive reform agenda in Small Scale Fishery, strengthen infrastructure for Small Scale Fishery and promote Small Scale Fishery friendly value chain • Strengthen climate resilient fishing practices and increase scope for diversified livelihoods • Ensure adequate water flow for ecological resilience, rehabilitation and renewal • Ensure inclusive governance in Small Scale Fishery • Promote public sector investment in Small Scale Fishery and capacity building of all actors in this sector • Stop promoting industrial fishing, industrial aqua culture and recognise and support ecosystem approach in sustainable small scale fisheries • Ensure dedicated Small Scale Fishery boards in countries and enhance coordination and communication among relevant ministries, departments and CSO for betterment of Small Scale Fishers. • Engage in effective policy dialogues at sub-regional/regional levels with neighbouring countries to resolve trans border issues as mentioned above We the CSOs, urge State to take action to implement the VG-SSF once adopted. We commit to fully cooperate with the governments and other relevant actors in facilitating implementation of VG SSF at all levels and to promote all policies and practices in support of small scale fisheries.