June 14, 2023
The member of the Regional Advisory Group for Latin America and the Caribbean (RAG LAC), composed of members from the World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP), the World Forum of Fish Harvesters and Fish Workers (WFF), the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC), and La Vía Campesina (LVC), from Chile, Argentina, Panama, Mexico, Ecuador, Honduras, and Brazil, gathered for the first time in Mar del Plata, Argentina, from May 17th to 21st, 2023. The objective of the meeting was to discuss regional political priorities and plan a common agenda within the framework of the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) in the region.
A 5-days training on SSF rights
The meeting began with a five-day training on the International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty (IPC) and the structure of the Advisory Group (AG), focusing on the Small-Scale Fisheries Global Strategic Framework (SSF-GSF) mechanism. The participants engaged in discussions and deliberations on the region’s main priorities, including the key challenges faced in individual countries. Subsequently, Josana Pinto, the Brazilian representative from WFFP, provided an update on the process of the People’s Tribunals in Brazil, a process that has already been carried out in Asia and inspired the IPC methodology for assessing the implementation of the fisheries guidelines. The Secretariat presented the SSF People Centred methodology, and the group developed a work plan for the upcoming months, setting December as the deadline for their collective efforts. Throughout the discussions, the participants emphasized the importance of the territories for their survival. Territories include diverse ecosystems such as coastal areas, rivers, mangroves, lakes, and Amazonian forests. Territory represents self-determination, food sovereignty, and the recognition of our collective rights, culture, customs, and traditions. It is the foundation of SSF peoples lives, connecting them to nature and ancestral rights that protect and sustain them.
The impact of industry and climate change on SSF communities
However, during the meeting, concerns were raised about the threats faced by the SSF communities and Indigenous Peoples, including the privatization of common goods, pollution of water and land, and the judicialization and criminalization of fishing communities. Large-scale development projects, such as deforestation, industrial aquaculture and fish farming, and mining, have significantly impacted the income and well-being of our communities, leading to the displacement of fishing communities. Contaminants, such as mercury and pesticides, have also infiltrated our ecosystems, posing risks to their food sources.
Cooperation as a way for effective implementation
The Regional Advisory Group emphasized the need for effective implementation of the SSF Guidelines in the region. While the tenth anniversary of the guidelines is approaching in 2024, there is limited evidence of their successful application. To address this, the group dedicated extensive discussions to reviewing and adapting the IPC People-Centered Methodology, aiming to assess the implementation of the SSF Guidelines at the national and regional levels. By holding governments accountable and enhancing the political impact of small-scale fishing social movements, the group aspires to propose effective solutions to the challenges faced by fishing communities. Additionally, the group aims to foster collaboration and coordination with the global advisory group and other regional advisory groups in Africa and Asia. The work conducted during the meeting contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the current state of fishing communities in Latin America and the Caribbean. By uniting regional efforts and advocating for sustainable small-scale fisheries, the Regional Advisory Group aims to create positive change, empowering fishing communities and influencing policies at both the regional and global levels. It is through these collective actions that we can strive towards securing a sustainable future for small-scale fisheries, preserving our traditions, and protecting our ancestral lands and waters.