Small-scale fisheries: Overview, importance, vulnerabilities and management

Abstract

The objective of this study is to develop an understanding of the concept related to small-scale fisheries (SSF) and to highlight its role in various dimensions. SSF contributes about 50% in the global fish catch and supplies food for local, national, and global markets. SSF also plays a major role in social and economic benefits to communities including poverty alleviation, nutrition, food security, livelihoods and supporting their local cultures. Nevertheless, communities that depend on SSF are at risk. The plausible reasons for these hazards include climate change, habitat loss, and overfishing, which not only contribute to the declining health of the oceans but also threaten this sector itself. Mostly, SSF lacks scientific information to access resources, which results in sustainable management failure of this sector.