ABSTRACT
This chapter presents aspects of small-scale fisheries that differentiate them from their large-scale counterparts, and discusses important characteristics and considerations for small-scale fisheries that can help make them viable while serving both their communities and the concerns of the society at large. It shows that the fisheries should begin with the recognition that: fisheries differ with, but also beyond, scale, and fisheries governance needs therefore to correspond with the specificities of fisheries in order to address the key concerns. The chapter also discusses the relevant governance principles for small-scale fisheries that if implemented could facilitate better governance and sustainable livelihoods. Small-scale fisheries contribute to revenue generation, job creation and employment too, and in many cases, more so than the large-scale fisheries sector. Four key concerns have been identified in fisheries governance, namely, ecosystem health, social justice, livelihoods and food security. Concerns about ecosystem health stem largely from the increasing recognition of impacts that fishing practices generate on aquatic ecosystems.
