The Conference will allow for the discussion of a wide range of issues including, inter alia, wider social and economic development and human rights issues, governance, fisheries policy processes and systems, fisheries management approaches and market access aspects and means of increasing post harvest benefits. A special focus of the conference, however, will be on the issue of securing access and user rights by small-scale fishers, indigenous peoples, and fishing communities to coastal and fishery resources that sustain their livelihoods.

Within each of three broad themes, the Conference will address various sub-themes as follows:

• Securing social, economic and human rights – such as inclusion and integration of small-scale fisheries stakeholders in policy and decision-making; gender equality; meeting health and education needs of small-scale fishing communities; ensuring decent and safe working conditions and livelihoods; creating “safety-net” alternatives; as well as promoting basic democratic governance principles.
   
• Securing sustainable resource use and access rights – including access/user rights to fisheries resources, water resources, littoral and riparian areas; legal, practical and local prerequisites and requirements for decentralised and shared management; comprehensive assessments and monitoring underpinning strategic planning and effective management including coastal zone management and the conservation of ecosystems supporting small-scale fisheries; and preparedness, adaptability and resilience to natural disasters and climate change.
   
• Securing post-harvest benefits – including the role of the post-harvest sector in fisheries management, inclusion of fish processors, traders and other stakeholders in commercial, development, and fisheries management groups, and threats and opportunities created by increased (international) demand for fishery products, vertical integration and other market factors including eco-labelling and traceability.
  

The Conference will aim at generating the following outputs:

• Improved knowledge of the factors supporting social development, establishment of sustainable livelihoods and use of responsible fisheries approaches in the small-scale fisheries sector; and
   
• A synthesis of key issues to secure small-scale fisheries and enhance their contribution to food security, poverty alleviation and sustainable development.