In June 2014 FAO member-states endorsed the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable
Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines). These Guidelines are one of the most significant
landmarks for small-scale fisheries around the world. They are comprehensive in terms of topics
covered and progressive with their foundations based on human rights and other key
principles. It can be anticipated that implementing the SSF Guidelines whether at local
national or regional levels will be challenging. This book contains in-depth case studies
where authors discuss the extent to which the Guidelines can help improve the realities of
small-scale fishing men and women globally and make their livelihoods and communities more
secure. This will require policy intervention and innovation along with contributions of civil
society organizations and academia. However most of all it will necessitate the empowerment of
fishing people so that they can become active participants in decision making on matters where
their well-being and human rights are at stake. By endorsing the SSF Guidelines states have
committed themselves to support and facilitate this development. This book asks whether states
can successfully ¿walk the talk ¿ and provides advice as to how they can do so. The collection
of case studies sets the platform for an interactive dialogue space for researchers policy
makers civil society and small-scale fishing communities to start the conversation about the
monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the SSF Guidelines at local national
regional and global levels. An added value is that it helps add focus to our work as civil
society activists involved in ensuring the application of the SSF Guidelines. Naseegh Jaffer ¿
General Secretary World Forum of Fisher People (WFFP) This collection offers many ways in
which institutions enabling small-scale fisheries can protect and promote sustainability food
security customary tenure self-management and market access while fostering such benefits
as ecosystem-based management protected areas incorporation of local knowledge and poverty
alleviation. You will want to put this book in the hands of policy-makers and practitioners
immediately -- and for years to come. Evelyn Pinkerton ¿ Professor Simon Fraser University
Canada
