FAO organizes small-scale fisheries session at CIHEAM BARI advanced specialised course on sustainable development of coastal communities
©CIHEAM Bari
On 28 and 29 May 2026, members of FAO’s small-scale fisheries team contributed to the Advanced Specialised Course on Sustainable Development of Coastal Communities, a high-level 10-week capacity-building programme organized by CIHEAM Bari. The course aims to strengthen the capacities of ministerial officials, policymakers, and technical staff from Mediterranean and African coastal nations in Blue Economy strategies, sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and coastal management.
A session of the programme was dedicated to advancing understanding of the implementation of the Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) Guidelines through National Plans of Action (NPOAs-SSF), strengthening SSF organizations, regulatory and governance frameworks, and small-scale fisheries data and knowledge. The session was designed to be interactive, with several hands-on activities related to the themes explored. Participants represented a diverse international group - 17 participants from 12 countries in addition to Italy (Congo DRC, Costa Rica, Egypt, El Salvador, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Mauritania, Senegal, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda) - bringing different perspectives and experiences to the session.
The session was moderated by Ms Lena Westlund, International Fisheries Analyst, who introduced the SSF Guidelines and presented the process for developing and implementing NPOAs-SSF. Ms Giulia Gorelli, Project Officer, presented the Illuminating Hidden Harvests (IHH) study, guiding participants through its main findings and methodology, including an exercise based on the IHH characterization matrix.
Ms Ana Suarez, Human Rights Specialist, delivered a presentation on the regulatory and governance frameworks for small-scale fisheries, highlighting FAO tools that support legal diagnostics and analysis of legislation relevant to SSF and on the human rights-based approach in the SSF Guidelines, including its relevance for advancing the right to food for small-scale fishing communities. Participants also took part in a practical exercise using the legal diagnostic toolbox. Mr Ruben Sanchéz Daroqui, small-scale fisheries specialist, spoke about the importance of strengthening SSF organizations for better governance and for effective development and implementation of the NPOAs-SSF at national level. A final presentation by Ms Manoela Militão, Communications and Outreach Specialist, offered a general overview of the resources and tools available to support further learning and implementation of the SSF Guidelines.
Participants finalized the day playing the “ Go small-scale Fish!ng”. The aim of the game is to collect as many complete sets of cards possible – and get an introduction to the SSF Guidelines in the process.
The Small-Scale Fisheries Team would like to thank CIHEAM Bari for this opportunity and for the excellent collaboration and support provided by its team. FAO and CIHEAM have worked together since 1977, driven by shared goals of enhancing food security, nutrition, and sustainable agricultural development in the Mediterranean region, particularly through the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and analyses.
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