Green Economy in a Blue World-Full Report

value, locally and to markets around the word. It has been estimated that 52 million people are employed in marine small-scale capture fisheries (and another 56 million in small-scale inland fisheries) and the small-scale operators represent 90 per cent of total employment in the fisheries sector. Most live in rural areas of developing countries (World Bank, FAO & WorldFish Centre, 2010). In addition to all those formally employed in the sector, small-scale fishing is often a vital side activity forming an important part of livelihood strategies. Although data on employment in aquaculture is scarce, preliminary estimates indicate that the total number of fish farmers in the world is about 23.4 million (including in both marine and inland environments), contributing to the livelihoods of about 117 million people. The direct contribution of aquaculture to employment is hence lower than fisheries, but is expected to continue to increase in the next decades (Valderrama, et al., 2010; FAO, 2011c). Altogether, around 180 million people are directly involved in fisheries and aquaculture activities globally, including catching, growing, processing and trading aquatic products. These There is no universally applicable definition of the very diverse small- scale fisheries sector but there are some characteristics that generally distinguish large and small-scale operations across countries. Small-scale fisheries have many desirable features and functions on economic, social and cultural grounds. Theyarebasicallycomprisedofhousehold enterprise in pursuit of a livelihood leading to a culturally conditioned way of life. Fishers use small craft and simple gear (though not necessarily simple techniques) of considerable diversity, relatively low capital investment and low energy intensity of the operations. Almost half of the world’s fishing vessels are non-motorised and 90 percent of those with engines are less than 12 metres long. Fishing also takes place with handheld gear without a boat.

fishers, fish farmers and fish workers sustain, in turn, about 0.5 billion people, equivalent to over 8 per cent of the global population (FAO, 2010) 1 . About half of all those employed in fisheries are women, working primarily in post-harvest fish marketing and processing but also found as entrepreneurs (financiers and providers of working capital for the fishing trips), fishers and in many auxiliary activities. Women are typically responsible for sustaining the fishing household, including caring for children and community members. Women hence play an important role in household nutrition and women’s subsistence fishing can bring vital protein and other nutrients to poor families. Small-scale aquaculture can be especially attractive for rural women in developing countries because it often takes place close to the home and can be integrated with other food production and household activities (World Bank, FAO & WorldFish Centre, 2010 and FAO, 2010c). 1. In a recent article, Teh & Sumaila (2011) have made an alternative estimate of the number of fulltime and part-time, direct and indirect, employment in global marine fisheries of 260 million people (± 6 million). often based around family labour and ponds or farms are relatively small, based on family land. It ranges from what is commonly known as rural aquaculture – i.e. systems with limited investment, informal management structures and close integration with other livelihood activities – to commercial undertakings requiring more substantial labour and capital inputs andbeingmore specialized. However, small-scale aquafarmers often have limited access to financial and technical resources as well as poor links with markets. While no global estimates on small-scale aquaculture are currently available, it is known that nearly 89 per cent of global aquaculture production was produced in Asia in 2008 of which about 90 percent was on farms of less than 1 ha size.

in a Blue World

What characterizes small-scale fisheries and aquaculture?

Source: FAO, 2009; FAO, 2010c; FAO, 2011c.

There is neither a strict definition of small-scale aquaculture. However, it is

21