Securing Coastal Futures: Blue Justice and Small-Scale Fisheries Rights Training Course

Introduction

Small-scale fisheries (SSF) are the backbone of food security, nutrition, and livelihoods for millions globally, often supporting marginalized coastal communities with deep cultural connections to the ocean. Despite their vital contributions, these communities frequently face systemic injustices, including limited access to resources, lack of tenure security, displacement by larger industrial operations, and insufficient participation in decision-making processes. The concept of "Blue Justice" directly addresses these inequities, advocating for a human rights-based approach to ocean governance that prioritizes the well-being and equitable treatment of small-scale fishers.

This intensive training course is meticulously designed to equip participants with a comprehensive and practical understanding of Blue Justice principles and the critical importance of securing small-scale fisheries rights. From exploring the socio-economic contributions of SSF and the threats they face to mastering international guidelines, legal frameworks, participatory governance models, and advocacy strategies, you will gain the expertise to champion equitable and sustainable fisheries management. This empowers you to address historical injustices, strengthen food security, and ensure that the voices and rights of small-scale fishing communities are central to the future of our oceans.

Target Audience

  • Government Officials (Fisheries, Environment, Human Rights, Rural Development).
  • Representatives of Small-Scale Fisher Organizations and Associations.
  • Legal Professionals and Human Rights Advocates.
  • Community Development Workers in Coastal Areas.
  • Researchers and Academics in Fisheries, Sociology, and Law.
  • Staff of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) focused on Fisheries and Human Rights.
  • International Development Practitioners.
  • Social Scientists and Anthropologists working with fishing communities.

Duration: 10 days

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this training course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the concept of Blue Justice and its relevance to small-scale fisheries.
  • Grasp the significant contributions of small-scale fisheries to food security, poverty alleviation, and cultural heritage.
  • Analyze the human rights dimensions inherent in small-scale fisheries, including rights to food, livelihood, and participation.
  • Comprehend the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines) and their implementation.
  • Evaluate different legal and policy mechanisms for recognizing and securing small-scale fisheries rights and tenure.
  • Develop practical skills in participatory processes, co-management, and conflict resolution in fisheries.
  • Navigate the complexities of external pressures on small-scale fisheries (e.g., blue economy, large-scale development).
  • Formulate robust advocacy strategies for promoting Blue Justice and the rights of small-scale fishing communities.

Course Content

  1. Introduction to Small-Scale Fisheries and Their Importance
  • Defining Small-Scale Fisheries : characteristics, diversity, socio-cultural significance
  • Contributions to Food Security and Nutrition : local food supply, nutrient-rich diets, resilience against shocks
  • Livelihoods and Poverty Alleviation : direct and indirect employment, economic multiplier effects
  • Cultural Heritage and Traditional Knowledge : indigenous fishing practices, generational knowledge transfer
  • Global significance and statistics of the small-scale fisheries sector
  1. Understanding Blue Justice
  • Concept of Blue Justice : social justice in marine contexts, equity, inclusion, human rights focus
  • Drivers of Injustice : historical marginalization, power imbalances, resource grabbing
  • Blue Economy and Blue Growth : critical analysis of its impact on small-scale fisheries
  • Interlinkages with Environmental and Climate Justice : disproportionate impacts on vulnerable communities
  • Principles and pillars of the Blue Justice movement
  1. Human Rights in Small-Scale Fisheries
  • International Human Rights Framework : Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ICESCR, ICCPR
  • Right to Food and Adequate Standard of Living : implications for access to resources and markets
  • Rights to Work and Just Conditions : labor rights, occupational safety, combating forced labor and child labor
  • Rights to Self-Determination and Participation : free, prior and informed consent, inclusion in decision-making
  • Challenges to Human Rights : discrimination, violence, displacement, lack of legal recognition
  1. The FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines)
  • Origins and Objectives of the SSF Guidelines : a human rights-based instrument for sustainable fisheries
  • Key Principles of the SSF Guidelines : human rights, non-discrimination, gender equality, sustainability
  • Pillars of the SSF Guidelines : governance, tenure, social development, value chains, disaster risk
  • Implementation at National and Local Levels : challenges and opportunities
  • Role of the SSF Guidelines in advancing Blue Justice
  1. Legal and Policy Frameworks for Rights Recognition
  • Forms of Fisheries Rights : access rights, use rights, management rights, tenure rights
  • Customary Tenure Systems : recognition and integration into modern legal frameworks
  • Legal Pluralism in Fisheries : interplay of customary, national, and international laws
  • Policy Instruments for Securing Rights : legislation, co-management agreements, spatial planning
  • Lessons from global case studies on rights-based fisheries management
  1. Participatory Governance and Co-Management in SSF
  • Principles of Co-Management : power sharing, shared responsibility, collaboration
  • Establishing Co-Management Bodies : roles, structures, legal recognition
  • Decision-Making Processes : negotiation, consensus building, adaptive management
  • Capacity Building for Co-Management : strengthening fisher organizations, leadership skills
  • Addressing power imbalances in participatory governance processes
  1. Addressing External Pressures on Small-Scale Fisheries
  • Industrial Fisheries Competition : access conflicts, resource depletion
  • Coastal Development and Tourism : land grabbing, displacement of fishing communities
  • Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Conservation : ensuring equitable design and management
  • Offshore Energy and Aquaculture Development : managing impacts and securing compensation
  • Strategies for safeguarding SSF interests in multi-sectoral ocean planning
  1. Climate Change, Disasters, and Small-Scale Fisheries Resilience
  • Impacts of Climate Change : shifting fish stocks, extreme weather events, sea level rise, ocean acidification
  • Vulnerability of SSF Communities : dependence on natural resources, limited adaptive capacity
  • Climate Change Adaptation Strategies : diversification of livelihoods, climate-smart fisheries
  • Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) : early warning systems, preparedness, response
  • Building socio-ecological resilience in coastal communities
  1. Value Chains, Markets, and Fair Trade for SSF
  • SSF Value Chains : from catch to consumer, post-harvest activities
  • Access to Markets : challenges (infrastructure, cold chain), opportunities (direct sales, cooperatives)
  • Fair Trade and Certification Schemes : promoting equitable practices, consumer awareness
  • Gender Equality in Value Chains : empowering women in processing and marketing
  • Enhancing economic benefits for small-scale fishers
  1. Advocacy and Strengthening the Voice of Small-Scale Fisheries
  • Strategic Communication : telling the story of small-scale fisheries, media engagement
  • Building Alliances and Networks : national, regional, and international collaboration
  • Engaging with Policy Makers : lobbying, policy briefs, direct dialogues
  • Community Organizing and Empowerment : strengthening collective action, leadership development
  • The future of Blue Justice and the global movement for small-scale fisheries rights.

CERTIFICATION

  • Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

  • Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

  • Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com

For More Details call: +254-114-087-180

 

Securing Coastal Futures: Blue Justice And Small-scale Fisheries Rights Training Course in Mauritania
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