NPOA National Plan of Action for Implementation of Voluntary Guidelines on securing Sustainable Small-scale fisheries in the context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (NPOA-SSF Guidelines).

These SSF Guidelines are a nationwide sectoral document in line with the overall national fisheries policy objective and aim at (i) developing the small-scale fisheries sector, and the people whose livelihoods are dependent on it; (ii) developing a robust, competitive, and efficient fisheries sector that contributes to food security and nutrition, growth of the national economy, and improvement of the wellbeing of fisheries stakeholders while conserving the environment; (iii) providing clear guidance with regards to (a) major concerning issues classified into the following three categories (1) human rights, (2) responsible fisheries, and (3) sustainable development, and (b) the need for improving an enabling environment and supporting implementation. In detail, the specific objectives of the SSF Guidelines are (i) to enhance the contribution of SSF to global food security; (ii) to contribute to the equitable development of small-scale fishing communities and poverty eradication; (iii) to achieve the sustainable utilization and responsible management and conservation of fisheries resources; (iv) to promote the contribution of SSF to an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable future; (v) to provide guidance that could be considered by states during the implementation of ecosystem-friendly policies, strategies, and legal framework; and, (vi) to advance public awareness of the potential of SSF and promote the advancement of the sector.
The Action Plan aims to contribute to food security and nutrition by (i) reducing the quantity and quality of loss of the catch due to poor handling, processing, storage, and distribution to reduce the nutritional and financial impacts not only to fishers but also to millions of people depending on the small scale fisheries resources; (ii) creating awareness on the nutritive value of fish and fishery products; (iii) mitigating disaster impacts and consequences of climate change that heavily affect small scale fishers.
To protect the environment the document suggests the following (i) promote responsible fisheries and sustainable development, applying best practices and conducting joint monitoring, control, and surveillance and reducing the conflict between law enforcers and fishing community on IUU regulation and actual practice on the ground; (ii) enforce regulations for industrial trawlers to fish only in designated areas to avoid the destruction of fish habitats as well as their affecting to the small-scale fishery in inshore waters; (iii) provide environmental education relevant to the fishers to all actors; (iv) establish basic tailor-made certified training to fishers; (v) create awareness to the community on the use of renewable energy sources and optimal utilization; (vi) punish offenders in fisheries using environmental management and protection regulations besides the Fisheries Act.
The Plan is strongly focused on the promotion of inclusive economic and social growth of small-scale fishery communities. To this end suggests (i) involving them in decision-making processes and applying the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) to empower both men and women to participate in decision-making processes and to assume responsibility for the sustainable use of fishery resources; (ii) conducting small-scale fisheries in an environment that guarantees fishers the opportunity to realize the dream of working in a good environment with access to health services, better pay, and social protection; (iii) promoting the social protection by encouraging fishers to join social security systems (such as pension funds and social health insurance), adopting micro-credit models, and developing the markets by promoting fish auctions markets and establishing Fishers Cooperative Unions; (iv) increase information spread by establishing a specific forum for information sharing between all stakeholders and providing fish handling and processing training to fishers; (v) encourage the investment in the sector, create enabling marketing environment and develop strategic marketing plans, and improve the fish landing, handling and marketing infrastructures; (vi) address gender equality by providing adequate funding, recognizing women’s critical role in fisheries, promoting and protecting women’s rights to participate in all aspects of marine, coastal, and inland water fisheries governance and management, improving access of women to fish and fish markets, mainly through the provision of credits at affordable rates, and paying specific attention to youth and people with disabilities.
As for Governance, it is deemed critical to enable the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, small-scale fishers, and other collaborators to achieve the objectives of the SSF Guidelines in Tanzania by enabling the environment and supporting the implementation. The NPoA is directed to both State and non-State actors, and the private sector involved in SSF.