National Plan of Action for Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (NPOA-SSF Guidelines) in Malawi.

The National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (NPOA-SSF) in Malawi aims at creating a sustainable small-scale fisheries sector that enhances food security, nutrition, and livelihoods for fishing communities while safeguarding the rights of vulnerable groups. The overall objective of the NPOA-SSF is to facilitate the coordinated implementation of small-scale fisheries development programs in Malawi, leading to improved food security, nutrition, economic contribution as well as poverty alleviation by 2030. The NPOA-SSF addresses challenges faced by small-scale fisheries and offers a comprehensive framework for the conservation, utilization, and management of fisheries resources.
The NPOA-SSF aims to strengthen SSF governance structures and capacity of small-scale fishers and other actors across fisheries value chain to sustainably manage tenure systems and develop fisheries in Malawi, promote ecosystem-based management, and enhance accountability mechanisms. Customary land committees and tribunals will be supported to address land tenure conflicts. Ecosystem-based management and biodiversity conservation practices among small-scale fisheries’ stakeholders will be promoted. Inclusive co-management plans will be developed at landing sites. Conservation agriculture and regeneration practices will be facilitated among SSF farming households. The adoption of community cage culture and aquaculture will be facilitated where appropriate. Waste management and recycling systems/initiatives addressing pollution, such as plastic, will be supported. The collaboration in the implementation of SSF programs and mobilization of resources for the development of SSF will be strengthened. Outdated policies and legal frameworks governing fisheries sector will be reviewed.
The NPOA-SSF aims to safeguard rights, participation, and well-being of men, women as well the vulnerable and marginalised groups in the small-scale fisheries value chain. It seeks to improve access to equitable and inclusive financial and social services for SSF communities, offering alternative income-generating activities, skill development, and structured market systems to enhance livelihoods and create decent employment opportunities for small-scale fishers. It also gives emphasis on women’s empowerment in the small-scale fisheries value chain which involves strengthening reporting mechanisms and creating safe environments for survivors of gender-based violence, enhancing women’s participation in leadership roles at local and national levels, and promoting gender-transformative approaches.
Furthermore, the NPOA-SSF aims to enhance livelihood options by improving value chains, post-harvest practices and post-harvest technologies and trade opportunities in the fisheries sector. Value addition will be promoted by increasing the capacities of small-scale fishers in packaging, branding, marketing, and product differentiation; promoting the use of Sanitary Certificate; facilitating product certification with the Malawi Bureau of Standards; and providing value addition technical backstopping to cooperatives in collaboration with various stakeholders. Traceability and quality assurance systems will be improved for transparency and adherence to standards.
Food and nutrition security will be increased among small-scale fishers in order to increase their health and well-being through increased fish consumption and diversified food production systems. The NPOA-SSF advocates for fair pricing and affordability of fish products. Nutrition education campaigns will be conducted to promote fish consumption among SSF communities. Fish based products will be supplied to School Feeding Programmes by small-scale fishers. Nutritional subsidies will be explored to promote fish consumption among vulnerable populations.
Adaptive capacity of institutions and community structures will be enhanced for climate resilient and disaster risk management in small scale fisheries through activities such as establishing digital early warning systems, constructing disaster-resilient structures, and promoting climate-smart technologies. The collaboration between Department of Fisheries and other key players to respond to disasters will be strengthened.
The NPOA-SSF lays down actions to create a sustainable and inclusive small-scale fisheries sector in Malawi by promoting evidence-based programming, collecting fisheries data, conducting research, and fostering informed decision-making. Fisheries programming will be improved through research, monitoring, evaluation, learning, surveillance and resource mobilization.