In the Southeast Asia region, the problems faced by small-scale fisherfolks are complex and diverse. The main issues are lack of appropriate fisheries management framework, awareness and knowledge of how to apply a fisheries management tool, dependence on middlemen, lack of stakeholders (including women)’ acknowledgement, and catch decrease due to the competitions with commercial or illegal fishing and degradation of the environment and fishing grounds. Given also the already low income of small-scale fishers and the high number of household members, this social group has serious difficulties to keep its traditional occupation. Appropriate local and comprehensive management plan for small-scale fisheries (SSF) must provide adequate solutions to the main problems. One of the main objectives in such a management plan is to support small-scale fishers for improving their income generation while sustaining the nearshore fisheries resources.

This project aims in the sustainable management of SSF for improving the livelihood and well-being of fishers in Southeast Asia. There will be the continuing efforts in strengthening the human resource development and further promoting Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) under the project. The lesson learnt based on the application of the EAFM will be shared and used for developing the regional recommendations on the effective implementation of the EAFM in the region. The capability development in support of the implementation of the FAO’s Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) for improving the livelihood and well-being of small-scale fishers will be carried out. And also, a study on the status of fisheries socio-economic assistance and on gender assessment will be conducted in the region.

The regional cooperation in fisheries socio-economic development and approach/process should be further strengthened in conjunction with the action plans for supporting the livelihood and well-being of small-scale fishers in the Southeast Asia. Furthermore, the gender integration and empowerment in sustainable fisheries management in the member countries in Southeast Asia which include fisheries management processing and value chain will be promoted through the regional and national training courses and human resource development programs throughout the five-year project period

In reference to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 14 “Life below Water”, it has been stated clearly that the small-scale fisheries are a vital source of livelihoods for millions, particularly in developing countries, and provide food and nutrition for billions. Large industrial fleets dominate fisheries management efforts and political interests. Policies need to refocus on addressing the needs and challenges of small-scale fisheries. The SSF Guidelines, adopted by the FAO member countries in 2014, provide the global consensus on the principles, good practices and guidance to ensure that small-scale fisheries are sustainable for small-scale fishers, fish workers, and their community and society at large. The SSF Guidelines advocate the need for good collaboration among government agencies, small-scale fishery organizations, fishing communities and other stakeholders. SEAFDEC has been taking in the challenge in the region in support of the implementation of the SSF Guidelines, and actions on the SDGs.

In the “ASEAN-SEAFDEC Resolution on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security for the ASEAN Region towards 2020” as well as the “Strategic Plan of Action on ASEAN Cooperation on Fisheries 2016-2020”, it is stated that the supply of fish and fishery products in the region need to be sustained to improve food security, facilitate poverty alleviation, and improve the livelihoods of people depending on the harvesting, farming and marketing of fish and fishery products. National fisheries policy, legal and institutional frameworks need to be improved to further support small-scale fishers/farmers with providing alternative livelihood opportunities and implementing the effective management of fisheries through the EAFM which aim at increasing the social and economic benefits to all stakeholders. For better livelihood and resources management in SSF, the project will be implemented for the next five years.

The project is clearly support on gender integration for all activities with starting the data collecting on socioeconomic with gender dimension. It is a good initiative the project with good information to show gender sensitivities and throughout the project have plan to strengthen the livelihood women and men in equality. Moreover, the project has one activity that focusing on development on gender integration in SSF which include fisheries management processing and value chain through regional/national training courses to promotion of the gender aspect to All State Member Countries to guide them on how to mainstream gender in their project program through capacities building staff on member countries about gender concept and gender analysis with is the important tool to integrated gender in to all working program.

4.1 Logical Framework 

Strategic actions for improving low impact fishing technologies are promoted by Governments and other stakeholders

Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) is in place in selected pilot sites in the member countries

Activity 1.1: Regional training or workshop to strengthen national capacities (participants) in Small-scale Fisheries Management for Better Livelihood and Fisheries Resources

Activity 1.2: Effective implementation of EAFM as key tool in the pilot sites

Activity 1.3: Review of the EAFM implementation results in the pilot sites and the development of Regional Plan of Actions (RPOA) on EAFM

Capability development in the implementation of the SSF guidelines for improving the livelihood and well-being of small-scale fishers

Activity 2.1: Study on the status of fisheries socio-economic assistance, and gender assessment particularly in line with the implementation of the SSF guidelines in Southeast Asia

Activity 2.2: Strengthening a regional cooperation in fisheries socio-economic development and developing appropriate approach/process in support of the implementation of the SSF guidelines in Southeast Asia

Activity 2.3: Enhancing the livelihood and well-being of small-scale fishers in Southeast Asia

Further promotion of the gender integration and empowerment in sustainable fisheries management in the member countries in Southeast Asia

Activity 3.1: Capacity development on gender integration in SSF which include fisheries management processing and value chain through regional/national training courses

Activity 3.2: Participation in the relevant international/regional forum and national activities/trainings