“The sustainable management of marine natural resources presents particular challenges to the managers and users of these resources. While such management has typically been based on biological considerations, it is argued that this has resulted in overexploitation and destruction of important marine assets in industries such as fishing and tourism. Consequently, it is concluded that other approaches are needed, with the use of economic concepts and management tools particularly relevant. At the same time, the human welfare outcomes of the application of various policy instruments must be carefully considered. While biological information is critical to the formulation and implementation of successful management regimes, it is concluded that the application of economic instruments will become more attractive to resource managers, with these instruments underpinned by consideration of property rights and an appropriate allocation of economic rents. A key issue in the debate about sustainable fisheries management is the role of fishers as users and managers of the resource, and the role for fishers’ organisations in the successful development and implementation of fisheries management measures¹ ”.

The thematic working group will bring together global and national fishers’ organizations representatives, IFAD and FAO staff as well as other interested participants in the 2012 Farmers’ Forum.The objective of the session is two-fold: (i) to consider the role of fishers’ organizations in improving the sustainability of the fisheries sector and hence in ensuring long-term livelihoods for small-scale fishers and their dependents and (ii) to identify current constraints and gaps as well as pathways to overcome these challenges, including partnership arrangements between fishers’ organisations and IFAD.

Following initial introductions of all participants, the working group will be opened with a brief overview on ‘IFAD’s involvement in fisheries development’. Participating fishers’ organizations will then each provide a brief introduction of their own organisation and address the following two key issues, drawing on their own perspectives and using examples from their own experiences:

• The contribution of fishers’ organizations to poverty alleviation and food security to their members.
• Successful experiences of organization and capacity building along the value chain (e.g. resource management, post-harvest issues, policy level)
• Examples of partnership arrangements with donors, other CSOs and communities
• How can fishers’ organizations further improve their and their members’ contribution to sustainable resource management? i.e. strengthening their role in policy dialogue, increasing their contribution to formulation and implementation of sustainable resource management measures, improving provision of key services to members.
• Identification of constraints and gaps
• Recommended approaches on how to tackle them

The following open discussion should build on these key issues and culminate in two or three clear recommendations which will then be presented at the plenary session in the afternoon for approval and inclusion in the Farmer’s Forum synthesis of actions for the next two years.

A more long term aim of this session is to establish a dialogue between all the involved representatives at various levels, in order to promote future cooperation towards an environmentally sustainable, economically viable and socially integrated sector.

In order to use the time we have together effectively, we request that all presenters focus on the key issues in order to set aside enough time for the discussion and finalisation of the recommendations. PowerPoint presentations are not necessary, if it is part of the presentation we request that it is sent to the organisers in advance.

Suggested time frame

Minutes	Activity	Responsible
10	Introduction of participants	Nicole Franz
5	Presentation of IFAD’s involvement in fisheries development	Tomás Donnelly
‘’	Yemen – Fishers’ Cooperative Union	Mr. Ali Hassen Buhaider
‘’	Mozambique – Pro-PESCA/AFAZ	Rui Falcao - Pro-PESCA Mr. Juma Ussene Momade – AFAZ
‘’	Indonesia - WAMTI	Mr. Agusdin Pulunga
‘’	WFF	Dr. Ms. Ujjaini Halim
‘’	WFFP	Herman Kumara Wijethunge
‘’	FAO – International Guidelines on Securing Small-scale Fisheries	Nicole Franz
10	Break	‘’
45	Discussion	‘’
30	Finalising recommendations	‘’

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