This work is achieved by increasing and amplifying voices, participation and recognition of the customary tenure rights of fishing communities by valuing and integrating their local knowledge, values and cultures so that resilient sustainable livelihoods and food security and sovereignty are ensured.

Fisher Peoples play a crucial role in food security and the right to access nutritious and culturally appropriate food for many families, as well as an essential role in local economies, providing livelihood to many and enabling access to basic needs and services. However, Fisher Peoples often lack recognition and are often excluded from aquatic and coastal governance decision-making processes, which undermines their livelihoods and the realisation of their rights. 

Furthermore, sustainable fisheries are both linked to and dependent on biodiversity in the ocean and freshwater bodies but are also essential for the well-being of fishing communities, contributing to food and nutrition, livelihoods, and human well-being, making it imperative to recognise to recognise, safeguard and fulfil the rights of fisher peoples, ensuring their customary tenure and access rights to resources and coastal territories and full and effective participation in governance.

This theme focuses on supporting and strengthening the recognition of Fisher Peoples through collaborating with partner organisations in implementing local solutions to emerging challenges and engaging in decision-making in policy processes. SwedBio wishes to strengthen collaboration and connection among partners and other relevant actors to identify opportunities for synergies and collaboration.

Specifically, this theme works with the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SFF Guidelines) by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).