Many authors have highlighted the crisis facing world fisheries and the threat this implies for the world economy, food supplies, and livelihoods. Several authors have diagnosed the problems (often simplified as ‘too many boats chasing too few fish’) and prescribed remedies (reducing the number of vessels or ‘fishing capacity’). In general both the diagnoses made and remedies prescribed emphasize the need to address environmental problems (over fishing, resource depletion, habitat destruction, etc.) using technical managerial approaches (rights-based management, Marine Protected Areas, etc.). These are often based on partial data, myths, and misconceptions. They also fail to address the human dimensions of fisheries, especially the human rights of communities whose livelihoods and food security depend on accessing living aquatic resources. The Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication being developed by the FAO, along with related measures that link the promotion of best practices (for responsible fisheries), including ‘scale subsidiarity’, to the social development of fishing communities, would go a long way to resolving the global fisheries crisis while alleviating poverty and promoting sustainable development.

Allison, E.H., Ratner, B.D., Asgard, B., Willmann, R., Pomeroy, R. and Kurien, J. (2012) ‘Rights-based fisheries governance: from fishing rights to human rights’, Fish and Fisheries 13: 14-29 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2979.2011.00405.x≯.

Bavink, M. and Jentoft, S. (2011) ‘Subsidiarity as a guiding principle for small-scale fisheries’, in R. Chuenpagdee (ed.), World Small-Scale Fisheries Contemporary Visions, Delft, Netherlands: Eburon Academic Publishers

Béné, C. (2011) ‘CAADP and fisheries policy in Africa: are we aiming for the right reform?’, CAADP Policy Brief 040, Brighton: Future Agricultures Consortium.

Béné, C. and Merten, S. (2008) ‘Women and fish-for-sex: transactional sex, HIV/AIDS and gender in African fisheries’, World Development 36(5): 875-99 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2007.05.010≯.

Big Numbers Project (BNP) (2009) ‘Small-scale capture fisheries: a global overview with emphasis on developing countries’ [online], Big Numbers Project, Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization; Penang: WorldFish Center <www.worldfishcenter.org/resource_centre/Big_ Numbers_Project_Preliminary_Report.pdf≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.worldfishcenter.org/resource_centre/Big_Numbers_Project_Preliminary_Report.pdf

Charles, A., Allison, E.H., Chuenpagdee, R. and Mbatha, P. (2012) ‘Well-being and fishery governance’, IIFET 2012 Tanzania Proceedings, Corvallis, OR: International Institute of Fisheries, Economics and Trade, Oregon State University.

De Schutter, O. (2012) ‘Fisheries and the right to food: report presented at the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly [A/67/268]’ [online] <www.srfood.org/index.php/en/ areas-of-work/food-production-and-resources/fisheries≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.srfood.org/index.php/en/areas-of-work/food-production-and-resources/fisheries

FAO (2007) ‘Regional workshop on safety at sea in artisanal and small-scale fisheries in Latin America and the Caribbean’, FAO Fisheries Report No. 851 FIIT/R851 (En) [online], <www.fao.org/docrep/014/i0020e/i0020e00.htm≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.fao.org/docrep/014/i0020e/i0020e00.htm

FAO (2013) ‘Draft voluntary guidelines for securing sustainable small-scale fisheries in the context of food security and poverty eradication’ [online], April 2013 <ftp://ftp.fao.org/FI/DOCUMENT/ssf/SSF_guidelines/TC/2013/default.htm≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. ftp://ftp.fao.org/FI/DOCUMENT/ssf/SSF_guidelines/TC/2013/default.htm

FAO SOFIA (2012) The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2012 [online], <www.fao.org/docrep/016/i2727e/i2727e00.htm≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.fao.org/docrep/016/i2727e/i2727e00.htm

FAO-ILO (2011) FAO-ILO Good Practice Guide for Addressing Child Labour in Fisheries and Aquaculture: Policy and Practice [online], Preliminary Version December 2011 <www.fao-ilo.org/fileadmin/user_upload/fao_ilo/pdf/FAO-ILOGuidelines_child_labour_in_fisheries_and_aquaculture_Policy_practice_Preliminary_version.pdf≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.fao-ilo.org/fileadmin/user_upload/fao_ilo/pdf/FAO-ILOGuidelines_child_labour_in_fisheries_and_aquaculture_Policy_practice_Preliminary_version.pdf

Garcia, S. and Rosenberg, A. (2010) ‘Food security and marine capture fisheries: characteristics, trends, drivers and future perspectives’, Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 365(1554): 2869-80 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2010.0171≯.

Harper, S., Zeller, D., Hauzer, M., Pauly, D. and Sumaila, U.R. (2013) ‘Women and fisheries: contribution to food security and local economies’, Marine Policy 39: 56-63 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2012.10.018≯.

Kolding, J. and van Zwieten, P. (2011) ‘The tragedy of our legacy: how do global management discourses affect small-scale fisheries in the South?’ Forum for Development Studies 3 [online], November 2011 <www.academia.edu/1555111/The_tragedy_of_our_legacy_how_do_global_management_discourses_affect_small-scale_fisheries_in_the_South≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.academia.edu/1555111/The_tragedy_of_our_legacy_how_do_global_management_discourses_affect_small-scale_fisheries_in_the_South

Mathew, S. (2011) ‘The Costs of Certification’, Samudra Report 58 [online], March 2011, ICSF, <www.icsf.net/en/samudra/article/EN/58-3572-The-Costs-of-Ce.html≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.icsf.net/en/samudra/article/EN/58-3572-The-Costs-of-Ce.html

Thomson, D. (1980) ‘Conflict within the fishing industry’, ICLARM Newsletter 3(3-4).

World Bank (2010) The Hidden Harvests, Washington, DC: World Bank/FAO/World Fish Center.

Zeller, D., Booth, S., Pakhomov, E., Swartz, W. and Pauly, D. (2011) ‘Arctic fisheries catches in Russia, USA, and Canada: baselines for neglected ecosystems’, Polar Biology 34(7): 955-73 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-010-0952-3≯.

Allison, E.H., Ratner, B.D., Asgard, B., Willmann, R., Pomeroy, R. and Kurien, J. (2012) ‘Rights-based fisheries governance: from fishing rights to human rights’, Fish and Fisheries 13: 14-29 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2979.2011.00405.x≯.

Bavink, M. and Jentoft, S. (2011) ‘Subsidiarity as a guiding principle for small-scale fisheries’, in R. Chuenpagdee (ed.), World Small-Scale Fisheries Contemporary Visions, Delft, Netherlands: Eburon Academic Publishers

Béné, C. (2011) ‘CAADP and fisheries policy in Africa: are we aiming for the right reform?’, CAADP Policy Brief 040, Brighton: Future Agricultures Consortium.

Béné, C. and Merten, S. (2008) ‘Women and fish-for-sex: transactional sex, HIV/AIDS and gender in African fisheries’, World Development 36(5): 875-99 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2007.05.010≯.

Big Numbers Project (BNP) (2009) ‘Small-scale capture fisheries: a global overview with emphasis on developing countries’ [online], Big Numbers Project, Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization; Penang: WorldFish Center <www.worldfishcenter.org/resource_centre/Big_ Numbers_Project_Preliminary_Report.pdf≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.worldfishcenter.org/resource_centre/Big_Numbers_Project_Preliminary_Report.pdf

Charles, A., Allison, E.H., Chuenpagdee, R. and Mbatha, P. (2012) ‘Well-being and fishery governance’, IIFET 2012 Tanzania Proceedings, Corvallis, OR: International Institute of Fisheries, Economics and Trade, Oregon State University.

De Schutter, O. (2012) ‘Fisheries and the right to food: report presented at the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly [A/67/268]’ [online] <www.srfood.org/index.php/en/ areas-of-work/food-production-and-resources/fisheries≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.srfood.org/index.php/en/areas-of-work/food-production-and-resources/fisheries

FAO (2007) ‘Regional workshop on safety at sea in artisanal and small-scale fisheries in Latin America and the Caribbean’, FAO Fisheries Report No. 851 FIIT/R851 (En) [online], <www.fao.org/docrep/014/i0020e/i0020e00.htm≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.fao.org/docrep/014/i0020e/i0020e00.htm

FAO (2013) ‘Draft voluntary guidelines for securing sustainable small-scale fisheries in the context of food security and poverty eradication’ [online], April 2013 <ftp://ftp.fao.org/FI/DOCUMENT/ssf/SSF_guidelines/TC/2013/default.htm≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. ftp://ftp.fao.org/FI/DOCUMENT/ssf/SSF_guidelines/TC/2013/default.htm

FAO SOFIA (2012) The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2012 [online], <www.fao.org/docrep/016/i2727e/i2727e00.htm≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.fao.org/docrep/016/i2727e/i2727e00.htm

FAO-ILO (2011) FAO-ILO Good Practice Guide for Addressing Child Labour in Fisheries and Aquaculture: Policy and Practice [online], Preliminary Version December 2011 <www.fao-ilo.org/fileadmin/user_upload/fao_ilo/pdf/FAO-ILOGuidelines_child_labour_in_fisheries_and_aquaculture_Policy_practice_Preliminary_version.pdf≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.fao-ilo.org/fileadmin/user_upload/fao_ilo/pdf/FAO-ILOGuidelines_child_labour_in_fisheries_and_aquaculture_Policy_practice_Preliminary_version.pdf

Garcia, S. and Rosenberg, A. (2010) ‘Food security and marine capture fisheries: characteristics, trends, drivers and future perspectives’, Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 365(1554): 2869-80 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2010.0171≯.

Harper, S., Zeller, D., Hauzer, M., Pauly, D. and Sumaila, U.R. (2013) ‘Women and fisheries: contribution to food security and local economies’, Marine Policy 39: 56-63 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2012.10.018≯.

Kolding, J. and van Zwieten, P. (2011) ‘The tragedy of our legacy: how do global management discourses affect small-scale fisheries in the South?’ Forum for Development Studies 3 [online], November 2011 <www.academia.edu/1555111/The_tragedy_of_our_legacy_how_do_global_management_discourses_affect_small-scale_fisheries_in_the_South≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.academia.edu/1555111/The_tragedy_of_our_legacy_how_do_global_management_discourses_affect_small-scale_fisheries_in_the_South

Mathew, S. (2011) ‘The Costs of Certification’, Samudra Report 58 [online], March 2011, ICSF, <www.icsf.net/en/samudra/article/EN/58-3572-The-Costs-of-Ce.html≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.icsf.net/en/samudra/article/EN/58-3572-The-Costs-of-Ce.html

Thomson, D. (1980) ‘Conflict within the fishing industry’, ICLARM Newsletter 3(3-4).

World Bank (2010) The Hidden Harvests, Washington, DC: World Bank/FAO/World Fish Center.

Zeller, D., Booth, S., Pakhomov, E., Swartz, W. and Pauly, D. (2011) ‘Arctic fisheries catches in Russia, USA, and Canada: baselines for neglected ecosystems’, Polar Biology 34(7): 955-73 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-010-0952-3≯.

Allison, E.H., Ratner, B.D., Asgard, B., Willmann, R., Pomeroy, R. and Kurien, J. (2012) ‘Rights-based fisheries governance: from fishing rights to human rights’, Fish and Fisheries 13: 14-29 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2979.2011.00405.x≯.

Bavink, M. and Jentoft, S. (2011) ‘Subsidiarity as a guiding principle for small-scale fisheries’, in R. Chuenpagdee (ed.), World Small-Scale Fisheries Contemporary Visions, Delft, Netherlands: Eburon Academic Publishers

Béné, C. (2011) ‘CAADP and fisheries policy in Africa: are we aiming for the right reform?’, CAADP Policy Brief 040, Brighton: Future Agricultures Consortium.

Béné, C. and Merten, S. (2008) ‘Women and fish-for-sex: transactional sex, HIV/AIDS and gender in African fisheries’, World Development 36(5): 875-99 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2007.05.010≯.

Big Numbers Project (BNP) (2009) ‘Small-scale capture fisheries: a global overview with emphasis on developing countries’ [online], Big Numbers Project, Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization; Penang: WorldFish Center <www.worldfishcenter.org/resource_centre/Big_ Numbers_Project_Preliminary_Report.pdf≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.worldfishcenter.org/resource_centre/Big_Numbers_Project_Preliminary_Report.pdf

Charles, A., Allison, E.H., Chuenpagdee, R. and Mbatha, P. (2012) ‘Well-being and fishery governance’, IIFET 2012 Tanzania Proceedings, Corvallis, OR: International Institute of Fisheries, Economics and Trade, Oregon State University.

De Schutter, O. (2012) ‘Fisheries and the right to food: report presented at the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly [A/67/268]’ [online] <www.srfood.org/index.php/en/ areas-of-work/food-production-and-resources/fisheries≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.srfood.org/index.php/en/areas-of-work/food-production-and-resources/fisheries

FAO (2007) ‘Regional workshop on safety at sea in artisanal and small-scale fisheries in Latin America and the Caribbean’, FAO Fisheries Report No. 851 FIIT/R851 (En) [online], <www.fao.org/docrep/014/i0020e/i0020e00.htm≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.fao.org/docrep/014/i0020e/i0020e00.htm

FAO (2013) ‘Draft voluntary guidelines for securing sustainable small-scale fisheries in the context of food security and poverty eradication’ [online], April 2013 <ftp://ftp.fao.org/FI/DOCUMENT/ssf/SSF_guidelines/TC/2013/default.htm≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. ftp://ftp.fao.org/FI/DOCUMENT/ssf/SSF_guidelines/TC/2013/default.htm

FAO SOFIA (2012) The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2012 [online], <www.fao.org/docrep/016/i2727e/i2727e00.htm≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.fao.org/docrep/016/i2727e/i2727e00.htm

FAO-ILO (2011) FAO-ILO Good Practice Guide for Addressing Child Labour in Fisheries and Aquaculture: Policy and Practice [online], Preliminary Version December 2011 <www.fao-ilo.org/fileadmin/user_upload/fao_ilo/pdf/FAO-ILOGuidelines_child_labour_in_fisheries_and_aquaculture_Policy_practice_Preliminary_version.pdf≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.fao-ilo.org/fileadmin/user_upload/fao_ilo/pdf/FAO-ILOGuidelines_child_labour_in_fisheries_and_aquaculture_Policy_practice_Preliminary_version.pdf

Garcia, S. and Rosenberg, A. (2010) ‘Food security and marine capture fisheries: characteristics, trends, drivers and future perspectives’, Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 365(1554): 2869-80 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2010.0171≯.

Harper, S., Zeller, D., Hauzer, M., Pauly, D. and Sumaila, U.R. (2013) ‘Women and fisheries: contribution to food security and local economies’, Marine Policy 39: 56-63 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2012.10.018≯.

Kolding, J. and van Zwieten, P. (2011) ‘The tragedy of our legacy: how do global management discourses affect small-scale fisheries in the South?’ Forum for Development Studies 3 [online], November 2011 <www.academia.edu/1555111/The_tragedy_of_our_legacy_how_do_global_management_discourses_affect_small-scale_fisheries_in_the_South≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.academia.edu/1555111/The_tragedy_of_our_legacy_how_do_global_management_discourses_affect_small-scale_fisheries_in_the_South

Mathew, S. (2011) ‘The Costs of Certification’, Samudra Report 58 [online], March 2011, ICSF, <www.icsf.net/en/samudra/article/EN/58-3572-The-Costs-of-Ce.html≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.icsf.net/en/samudra/article/EN/58-3572-The-Costs-of-Ce.html

Thomson, D. (1980) ‘Conflict within the fishing industry’, ICLARM Newsletter 3(3-4).

World Bank (2010) The Hidden Harvests, Washington, DC: World Bank/FAO/World Fish Center.

Zeller, D., Booth, S., Pakhomov, E., Swartz, W. and Pauly, D. (2011) ‘Arctic fisheries catches in Russia, USA, and Canada: baselines for neglected ecosystems’, Polar Biology 34(7): 955-73 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-010-0952-3≯.

Allison, E.H., Ratner, B.D., Asgard, B., Willmann, R., Pomeroy, R. and Kurien, J. (2012) ‘Rights-based fisheries governance: from fishing rights to human rights’, Fish and Fisheries 13: 14-29 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2979.2011.00405.x≯.

Bavink, M. and Jentoft, S. (2011) ‘Subsidiarity as a guiding principle for small-scale fisheries’, in R. Chuenpagdee (ed.), World Small-Scale Fisheries Contemporary Visions, Delft, Netherlands: Eburon Academic Publishers

Béné, C. (2011) ‘CAADP and fisheries policy in Africa: are we aiming for the right reform?’, CAADP Policy Brief 040, Brighton: Future Agricultures Consortium.

Béné, C. and Merten, S. (2008) ‘Women and fish-for-sex: transactional sex, HIV/AIDS and gender in African fisheries’, World Development 36(5): 875-99 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2007.05.010≯.

Big Numbers Project (BNP) (2009) ‘Small-scale capture fisheries: a global overview with emphasis on developing countries’ [online], Big Numbers Project, Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization; Penang: WorldFish Center <www.worldfishcenter.org/resource_centre/Big_ Numbers_Project_Preliminary_Report.pdf≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.worldfishcenter.org/resource_centre/Big_Numbers_Project_Preliminary_Report.pdf

Charles, A., Allison, E.H., Chuenpagdee, R. and Mbatha, P. (2012) ‘Well-being and fishery governance’, IIFET 2012 Tanzania Proceedings, Corvallis, OR: International Institute of Fisheries, Economics and Trade, Oregon State University.

De Schutter, O. (2012) ‘Fisheries and the right to food: report presented at the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly [A/67/268]’ [online] <www.srfood.org/index.php/en/ areas-of-work/food-production-and-resources/fisheries≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.srfood.org/index.php/en/areas-of-work/food-production-and-resources/fisheries

FAO (2007) ‘Regional workshop on safety at sea in artisanal and small-scale fisheries in Latin America and the Caribbean’, FAO Fisheries Report No. 851 FIIT/R851 (En) [online], <www.fao.org/docrep/014/i0020e/i0020e00.htm≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.fao.org/docrep/014/i0020e/i0020e00.htm

FAO (2013) ‘Draft voluntary guidelines for securing sustainable small-scale fisheries in the context of food security and poverty eradication’ [online], April 2013 <ftp://ftp.fao.org/FI/DOCUMENT/ssf/SSF_guidelines/TC/2013/default.htm≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. ftp://ftp.fao.org/FI/DOCUMENT/ssf/SSF_guidelines/TC/2013/default.htm

FAO SOFIA (2012) The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2012 [online], <www.fao.org/docrep/016/i2727e/i2727e00.htm≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.fao.org/docrep/016/i2727e/i2727e00.htm

FAO-ILO (2011) FAO-ILO Good Practice Guide for Addressing Child Labour in Fisheries and Aquaculture: Policy and Practice [online], Preliminary Version December 2011 <www.fao-ilo.org/fileadmin/user_upload/fao_ilo/pdf/FAO-ILOGuidelines_child_labour_in_fisheries_and_aquaculture_Policy_practice_Preliminary_version.pdf≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.fao-ilo.org/fileadmin/user_upload/fao_ilo/pdf/FAO-ILOGuidelines_child_labour_in_fisheries_and_aquaculture_Policy_practice_Preliminary_version.pdf

Garcia, S. and Rosenberg, A. (2010) ‘Food security and marine capture fisheries: characteristics, trends, drivers and future perspectives’, Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 365(1554): 2869-80 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2010.0171≯.

Harper, S., Zeller, D., Hauzer, M., Pauly, D. and Sumaila, U.R. (2013) ‘Women and fisheries: contribution to food security and local economies’, Marine Policy 39: 56-63 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2012.10.018≯.

Kolding, J. and van Zwieten, P. (2011) ‘The tragedy of our legacy: how do global management discourses affect small-scale fisheries in the South?’ Forum for Development Studies 3 [online], November 2011 <www.academia.edu/1555111/The_tragedy_of_our_legacy_how_do_global_management_discourses_affect_small-scale_fisheries_in_the_South≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.academia.edu/1555111/The_tragedy_of_our_legacy_how_do_global_management_discourses_affect_small-scale_fisheries_in_the_South

Mathew, S. (2011) ‘The Costs of Certification’, Samudra Report 58 [online], March 2011, ICSF, <www.icsf.net/en/samudra/article/EN/58-3572-The-Costs-of-Ce.html≯ [accessed 16 May 2013]. www.icsf.net/en/samudra/article/EN/58-3572-The-Costs-of-Ce.html

Thomson, D. (1980) ‘Conflict within the fishing industry’, ICLARM Newsletter 3(3-4).

World Bank (2010) The Hidden Harvests, Washington, DC: World Bank/FAO/World Fish Center.

Zeller, D., Booth, S., Pakhomov, E., Swartz, W. and Pauly, D. (2011) ‘Arctic fisheries catches in Russia, USA, and Canada: baselines for neglected ecosystems’, Polar Biology 34(7): 955-73 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-010-0952-3≯.