From the Editor: “In total around 492 million people depend at least partially on smallscale fisheries for their livelihoods, and small-scale fishers produce an astounding 40% of the global fisheries catch. Furthermore, smallscale fishers and fish workers account for 90% of the people who work worldwide in capture fisheries value chains. As a healthy source of protein and micronutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, calcium and zinc, fish are of course also essential to global food security.
These are some of the reasons why, in 2017, the 72nd Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) proclaimed 2022 as the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA 2022), with the FAO serving as the lead agency and with the aim of raising awareness and promoting dialogue and collaboration. The vision statement for IYAFA 2022 reads as follows: “A world in which small-scale artisanal fishers, fish farmers and fishworkers of both genders are fully recognized and empowered to continue their contributions to poverty alleviation, human well-being and resilient and sustainable food systems through the responsible use of fisheries and aquaculture resources and socio-economic development.” “
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