Multi-Stakeholder Information and Communication (MuSIC) Workshop - small-scale fisheries, food security and wholesome nutrition

Abstract

Vibrant small-scale fishing communities contribute to local food security and wholesome nutrition by providing fresh fish; create spatially dispersed local employment particularly for women; contribute to reduction of rural-urban migration; preserve aquatic biodiversity and even help promote cultural tourism by their very existence along the coast lines and riparian regions. Support from government representatives, researchers, journalists, and representatives of civil society (e.g NGOs, fisher organisations) is needed to understand, appreciate and interrogate the above linkages. To achieve this, more information needs to be provided which will result in credible communication about these linkages to policy makers. The MuSIC workshop initiative was one small contribution to provide new perspectives on small-scale fisheries in relation to food security and wholesome nutrition, positioned within the overall context of the FAO/UN Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication.