Colombia starts the development of the National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (NPOA-SSF)

Written by: Kelly Rojas Correa, FAO consultant 

With the participation of women and men leaders from the fisheries sector, institutions, Non-Governmental Organizations and partners of the Interinstitutional Group for Social Protection for Fisheries and Aquaculture (GIPRO), FAO launched in Colombia the project Enhancing equitable, climate-resilient and sustainable small-scale fisheries through the SSF Guidelines implementation, an initiative funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). 

The project will support Colombia in developing and implementing its National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (NPOA-SSF), aiming to strengthen effective participatory governance in the small-scale fisheries sector, contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and aquatic resources, and ensure climate-resilient and equitable livelihoods. 

During the event, participants reviewed the principles and recommendations of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines), the stages in the development of an NPOA-SSF, the human rights-based approach as the guiding axis of the process, the gender-transformative approach and its importance for implementation of the NPOA-SSF. Participants also mapped challenges and opportunities for implementing the SSF Guidelines in Colombia, as well as related initiatives and opportunities. 

In addition, the proposed territorial action framework for coordinated implementation with sector stakeholders through the officially established fisheries nodes in the country was presented. The event also featured a contribution from Mr Jorge Arturo López of the Costa Rican, Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture (INCOPESCA), who shared Costa Rica’s experience in integrating the SSF Guidelines into its regulatory frameworks. 

According to Heysel Calderón Gómez, FAO Colombia’s National Coordinator for Fisheries and Aquaculture: “We are the first country in Latin America and the Caribbean to begin the process of implementing a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries. This represents an opportunity to develop an operational, participatory and territorially grounded instrument that will support the transformation of small-scale fisheries in Colombia towards a more sustainable, resilient, equitable and inclusive sector.” 

The SSF Guidelines, translated into concrete actions and adapted to Colombia’s national and territorial context, reaffirms the human right to adequate food as recognized in international and national legal frameworks. They strengthen participatory governance, ensure the recognition and exercise of rights, improve living, working and well-being conditions, and promote sustainable fisheries resources management, climate resilience and coherent alignment with public policies. 

This initiative forms part of the Blue Transformation umbrella programme of FAO’s global partnerships for aquatic food systems. It contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals and to FAO’s mandate to achieve a world free from hunger and malnutrition. 


Learn more:  

• SSF Guidelines 
• Enhancing equitable, climate-resilient and sustainable small-scale fisheries through the SSF Guidelines implementation project 
• National Plans of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries