Best practices to support and improve the livelihoods of small-scale fisheries and aquaculture households

Some of the poorest and most vulnerable households in Asia are seasonally or occasionally dependent on fisheries-related activities. These important resources are threatened by poor management and continued overexploitation. As part of its strategic plan, the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission (APFIC) is committed to supporting small-scale fisheries in Asia. At its 30th session in Manado, Indonesia in 2008, APFIC undertook to identify areas of best practice and policies to support coastal community livelihoods and to review those aspects which negatively impact coastal livelihoods. This publication contains three reviews on key aspects of policy support to livelihoods resilience and diversification and offers recommendations on approaches and practices which offer the best opportunity for improving livelihoods and building resilience in communities in the face of emerging challenges such as globalization, economic development, social transitions and climate change.