Thread by @IPCSovereignty

Today we're in Sri Lanka, almost ready for the launch of the assessment report on the implementation of #smallscalefisheries guidelines in the Asia&Pacific Region! REGISTER HERE TO JOIN US! t.ly/apxP

Jesu Rethinam, member of the Global Advisory Group, representing the IPC: "The SSF People Centred mechanism is a tool made by the communities and for the communities to assess the progress of the #SSFGuidelines implementation worldwide".
#StandWithSmallScaleFishers

"Many are the damages affecting Sri Lanka communities, it is important to join hands in event like this to safeguard interest of #smallscalefisheries", Mr. Douglas Devananda, Ministry of Fisheries in Sri-Lanka said.

#StandWithSmallScaleFishers

Mrs Angela Lentisco from the FAO Regional Office, supports the implementation of SSF Guidelines: "Although the SSF Guidelines is going slow, the Regional Advisory Group is key for their implementation and voicing SSF Peoples", she said.

#StandWithSmallScaleFishers

Herman Kumara, Secretary General of @WorldFishers and RAG of Asia&Pacific, highlights that "even if the #SSFGuidelines are voluntary, #HumanRights are mandatory, and that's why we advocacate for a full implementation"

#StandWithSmallScaleFishers

"One of the most bottom up process I have been participating in. We have to move beyond seeing fisheries through numbers and here from the Lived experiences of SSF People" Ms. Savita Vijaykumar, free-lance conultant and researcher, said.

#StandWithSmallScaleFishers

#Fisheries have shifted from the state's welfare objective to export-oriented growth model, says our report. This has resulted in an exclusion of #SmallScaleFishers and has to be urgently addressed.

Overdependency on middlemen is another issue for #smallscalefishers, particularly in Sri Lanka, India and Thailand. They need a fairer access to market, minimum price guarantee and support for cooperation.

#StandWithSmallScaleFishers

Women who actually are the backbone of the SSF sector, cannot access fisheries-related scheme and benefits, and they often don't have leadership roles. This has to be urgently addressed, and we propose solutions

#StandWithSmallScaleFishersWomen

#climatecrisis and #disasterrisk are other huge issues. There are little or no plans for prevention. Natural barriers like #mangroves are destroyed instead of being protected. We need to create a mechanism to avoid #falsesolutions to be put forward (#carboncredits)

Finally, we need more #policycoherence and coordination, better information and participatory data collection, training and capacity development programs.

#StandWithSmallScaleFishers #FOODSovereigntyNow #SSFguidelines

Here there are the main takeaways from the our report. We will push institutions to use them to change the national policy framework worldwide and properly implement the #SSFguidelines #StandWithSmallScaleFishers #FOODSovereigntyNow

Azrilnizam Omar, from Persatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Jaringan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING), present the case study of Malaysia

Slamet Ari Nugroho, from Indonesia Traditional Fisherfolks Union (KNTI), presents the case study of Indonesia

#StandWithSmallScaleFishers

The final case study focuses on Sri Lanka, and is presented by Thadsa Thavechelvam, from @nafsosrilanka. It highlights the huge impact of the industrial fishing on coastal erosion, water pollution and displacing of SSF communities.

#StandWithSmallScaleFishers

Ravadee Prasertcharoensuk, Thailand Sustainable Development Foundation, focuses on the case study of Thailand.

#StandWithSmallScaleFishers

Jones Spartegus, from National Fisher Forum India (@WorldFishers) and member from the Global Advisory Group, wraps up the main findings of our report and push institutions to support implementation of #SSFguidelines and ensure the customary rights of #smallscalefishers

Mr. Oscar Amarasinghe, Chancellor of the Ocean University in Sri Lanka, reports about the huge work made by a coalition of CSOs, academia and #SSFcommunities to get a new legislation on fisheries. But the work is not finished: now policy need to be translated into actions!

Ujjaini Halim member of RAG Asia&Pacific (@WFF_fisherforum & IPC WG on fisheries) makes the closing remarks. Thanks everyone for being with us in this important moment for Asia&Pacific SSF communities! Our report will come out in the next days with its final layout. Stay tuned!