The congress theme for the 4WSFC Latin America & the Caribbean (LAC), ‘Stronger Together: Rebuilding sustainable resources and viable communities,’ recognizes that a strong future for small-scale fisheries depends on both sustainable resources and viable communities. There is no easy trade-off between the two, but hard choices will need to be made about all aspects of fisheries. The discussion is not about small-scale fisheries alone but also about large-scale, industrialized fisheries and other uses and activities in the ocean and other aquatic ecosystems. In fact, the difficult decisions that need to be made about the future of fisheries – with due consideration on small-scale fisheries – require inclusive and thoughtful processes, based on trusting relationships and building capacity at all levels. All types of knowledge (scientific and traditional), data and information, local and regional governance, and strong organizations, are among the key elements that can foster productive deliberation about what needs to happen in the region rich with resources and diverse cultural and economic capacity like the LAC. 

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The 4WSFC LAC regional congress is an important opportunity for small-scale fishers, civil society, non-government and governmental organizations, decision-makers, practitioners and researchers working or interested in small-scale fisheries and related topics to come together to discuss what needs to be done to strengthen the existing capacity and networks, as well as building new ones, in order to achieve sustainable resources and viable communities. The discussion is timely as the region, and indeed the world, is struggling to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and dealing with climate change crisis. While the latter has serious consequences on small-scale fishing communities, they have shown to be highly robust and resilient, and thus can offer valuable lessons, not only in coping with change, but also how to be the leader in climate-friendly fishing practices and in a food production system.

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Through interactive sessions and discussion, and with an aim to strengthen existing collaboration and build new partnerships, the 4WSFC LAC regional congress will be organized around six main topics, taking into consideration the inter-linkages between environmental, social, cultural, governance, and economic components associated with small-scale fisheries. 
 

Strengthening CAPACITY & ASSETS

Strengthening COMMUNITIES & VOICES

Strengthening SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL RESILIENCE

Strengthening SOCIO-ECONOMIC VIABILITY

Strengthening TRANSDISCIPLINARY KNOWLEDGE

Strengthening VALUE CHAIN

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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 and viability in LAC. We encourage delegates from around the continent, as well as some international researchers working in LAC, to join the congress ‘in-person’ in Merida. While we anticipate having about 150 ‘in-person’ participants, we extend an invitation to delegates who wish to join virtually through the congress live-streaming platform.

 

 The 4WSFC LAC is co-hosted by the CINVESTAV Merida, in partnership with TBTI Global. 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 from the region.

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Abstracts for individual papers or organized sessions (about 250 words) are accepted until May 31, 2022.

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