The congress theme for the 4WSFC AFRICA, ‘Leading by Examples: Leaderships for Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries,’ recognizes the many examples, lessons and experiences that individual, communities, governments, inter-governmental organizations, and other supporting institutions have in the efforts to build and enhance capacity for sustainable small-scale fisheries. The focus on “leaderships” is a tribute to the immense progress that has been made in the past decade by all sectors, in elevating the profile of small-scale fisheries and in advancing understanding about them. It is also meant to inspire more actions and collaboration to continue to promote and support small-scale fisheries.

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While many of the challenges facing small-scale fisheries in Africa are common in other regions, some are unique, requiring innovative solutions at local, national and regional levels. In addition to exchanging knowledge and lessons about what works well and what needs further consideration in securing sustainable future for small-scale fisheries in Africa, the congress offers a platform for deliberation about how to integrate small-scale fisheries in the discussion about Blue Economy, keeping in mind principles such as social justice, gender equity and others promoted in the SSF Guidelines.

 

Through interactive sessions and discussion, and with an aim to strengthen existing collaboration and build new partnership, the 4WSFC Africa congress will be organized around six main topics, to demonstrate how existing and potential leaderships in small-scale fisheries can lead to better mutual outcomes.

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Leaders in ACTION RESEARCH

Leaders in BLUE JUSTICE

Leaders in BUSINESS & SOCIAL INNOVATION

Leaders in CLIMATE-FRIENDLY FOOD SYSTEM

Leaders in COMMUNITY-BASED CONSERVATION

Leaders in GENDER EQUITY

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We invite participation from fishers and fishing communities, industry, government and intergovernmental organizations, financial institutions, civil society, and academia, interested in small-scale fisheries sustainability in Africa. We encourage delegates from around the continent, as well as some international researchers working in Africa, to join the congress ‘in-person’ in Cape Town. While we anticipate having about 150 ‘in-person’ participants, we will extend an invitation to delegates who wish to join virtually through the congress live-streaming platform.

 

The 4WSFC AFRICA is co-hosted by the Institute of Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS), University of Western Cape, South Africa, in partnership with TBTI Global and with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. We welcome organizations interested in supporting sustainable small-scale fisheries to join as partners to this initiative and help contribute to the development of the congress program and to support the participation of delegates.

 

Abstracts for individual papers or organized sessions (about 250 words) are accepted until June 15, 2022.

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