Call for Abstracts: 4WSFC Asia Pacific

4WSFC Asia Pacific: Building Forward Better

Shizuoka City, Japan, May 10-13, 2022

The last decade saw a sharp rise in the amount of attention given to small-scale fisheries (SSF), most notably with the adoption of the ‘Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication’ (SSF Guidelines). The SSF Guidelines are the first international instrument specifically designed for SSF sustainability, taking into consideration their nature, concerns, contributions, and potentials. Through human-rights based approach and key guiding principles, the SSF Guidelines call on stakeholders from all sectors, at all levels around the world, to contribute to their implementation. SSF have also been discussed within the framework of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as part of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 ‘Life Below Water’ and its Target 14b which is about ensuring that SSF have access to resources and markets. And since small-scale fisheries are also part of ‘Life Above Water', they have a fundamental role to play in achieving all SDGs.

The declaration of the International Year for Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA 2022) by the United Nations recognizes the contributions of small-scale fisheries and aquaculture to livelihoods, food and nutritional security, emphasizing the necessity for everyone to take actions to support the sector. The 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress (4WSFC) is one such opportunity to facilitate knowledge exchange, foster collaboration, and mobilize support.

Considering the Covid-19 global pandemic, and recognizing the need to strengthen regional networks and organizations, the 4WSFC will take place in five regions of the world. The first in the series will be held in Shizuoka City, Japan, May 10-13, 2022, co-hosted by Shizuoka City, Tokai University, and TBTI Japan, in partnership with TBTI Global and other key organizations. The 4WSFC Asia-Pacific will be a hybrid congress, with in-person and virtual sessions.

Under the theme ‘Building Forward Better,’ the congress aims to discuss bold, innovative ideas and strategies needed for SSF to rebalance, rebuild and revitalize, following the devastating impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, natural disasters and climate change, set amidst the current and emerging challenges affecting their livelihoods and wellbeing. Building forward is also about being proactive and progressive in situating SSF in Asia-Pacific in a way that will accelerate their engagement in the global discourse about sustainable development, and help them be in a position to contribute to achieving SDGs.

Specifically, the congress will be organized around six main topics:

• Adjusting the justice lens

• Adjusting the gender lens

• Adjusting the food lens

• Adjusting the governance lens

• Adjusting the financial lens

• Adjusting the research lens

Contributions are invited from researchers, students, young professionals, practitioners, fishers and fishers’ organizations, environmental groups and policy makers, interested in small-scale fisheries in the Asia-Pacific region. Abstracts for individual papers or organized sessions (about 250 words) are accepted until October 15, 2021.

The 4WSFC Series are organized by volunteers, with support from contributing partners. Individuals interested in attending the congress in-person will need to cover their own costs (travels and meals), as well as pay a nominal registration fee. Anyone attending virtually will not need to pay to participate but will still need to register. Some congress sessions will be streamed live, presented virtually, or video-recorded, and will be available to all registered participants free of charge.

For more information about the congress please contact 4wsfcongress@gmail.com.