Illuminating the multi-dimensional contributions of small-scale fisheries

Sustainable development aspires to “leave no one behind." Yet, limited attention has been paid to small-scale fisheries (SSF) and their importance in eradicating poverty, hunger and malnutrition. Through a collaborative and multi-dimensional data-driven approach, we have estimated that SSF provide at least 40% (37.3 million tonnes) of global fisheries catches and 2.3 billion people with, on average, 20% of their dietary intake across 6 key micronutrients essential for human health. Globally, the livelihood of one in every twelve people, nearly half of them women, depends at least partially on small-scale fishing, altogether generating 44% (USD 77.2 billion) of total fisheries landed economic value. Regionally, Asian SSF support most catch, livelihoods, and supply nutrition to the largest number of people. Relative to the total capture fisheries sector (comprising large-scale and small-scale fisheries sub-sectors), of all regions African SSF supply the most catch and nutrition, and SSF in Oceania enhance the most livelihoods. Maintaining and increasing these multi-dimensional SSF contributions to sustainable development requires targeted and effective actions, especially increasing engagement of fisherfolk in shared management and governance. Without management and governance focused on SSF’s multi-dimensional contributions, the marginalization of millions of fishers and fishworkers will worsen.