Small-scale Fisheries: Assessing Their Contribution to Rural Livelihoods in Developing Countries

Traditionally, the contribution, role and importance of small-scale fisheries have often been described in thematic terms such as economic, social, employment and source of food. However, the contributions of small-scale fisheries are often interlinked and interdependent and some of their major contributions lie at the interface between these themes/sectors rather than within each. Also some of the major contributions to small-scale fisheries result from the synergies between various domains particularly economic and social aspects as conventionally recognized. In keeping with the vision for small-scale fisheries as proposed by the Advisory Committee on Fisheries Research (ACFR) Working Party on Small-scale Fisheries, it would seem appropriate to give in any such analysis due regard to the evolving concepts of food security, poverty alleviation, rural and economic development as well as the environmental and cultural dimensions of small-scale fisheries. The analysis incorporates these various concepts and moves away from the more conventional sector type or thematic approach.