assessment. Informants came from non-governmental organizations, donor organizations, United Nations institutions, research institutions, U.S. government agencies, and USAID
Washington and Missions. Interviews revealed an enthusiastic endorsement for a new USAID program to improve the management of freshwater and marine small-scale
fisheries. The analysis below presents key findings of what is needed and most feasible based on the authors’ experience, published analyses, and interviews.
After decades of effort in fisheries, coastal, and environmental management, USAID is positioned to catalyze efforts that could reform small-scale marine and freshwater capture
fisheries governance. New programs should build progressively from current hubs of successful investment. For global impact, USAID will need to partner with other donors
and institutions in a complementary manner. As highlighted in the following recommendations section, interviewees suggested that USAID should focus on:
• Educational efforts based on carefully designed assessments that inspire attention to
critical issues and best practices in the field • Expanding field efforts and documenting lessons that can inform and catalyze other
efforts through continued work with NGOs and government agencies • Changing open access capture fisheries regimes to those that results in sustainable
levels of fishing effort to maintain food security, robust economies, and ecosystem function through partnerships with the private sector, donors, and policy makers
• Testing innovative methods to improve fisheries management and sustainable livelihoods such as rights-based approaches, addressing gender and other
representational and economic inequalities, and promoting the use of GPS and internet technology and market-based solutions such as certification
• Supporting USAID field practitioners through educational and advocacy networks that improve understanding of best practices and broaden support for their activities
• Ensuring complementarities of funding agendas with other donors such as the World Bank, International Development Research Centre, and NORAD, among others
5.6 U.S. Government Framework for Foreign Assistance and Linkages to
Fisheries Opportunities Within the US Foreign Assistance Framework, the overarching goal is “Helping to build
and sustain democratic, well-governed states that will respond to the needs of their people and conduct themselves responsibly in the international system.” Under this goal are
five key objectives to guide the U.S. government and USAID assistance: Peace and Security; Governing Justly and Democratically; Investing in People; Economic Growth;
and Humanitarian Assistance. These objectives are the strategic underpinning for understanding how the portfolio of investments of the U.S. government in the
development sector has been shaped. USAID is currently supporting levels of activity in fisheries resource management in ways that contribute to many of the objectives
identified. In addition, the USG has cataloged countries around the world depending upon where that country is located along a development spectrum. Each country category has
development approaches tailored to its unique circumstances. Equally important for this
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report, there are clear linkages to the fisheries sector in each category and these provide strong justification for future engagement by USAID in the fisheries sector.
• Rebuilding Countries: USAID provides targeted assistance to States in or emerging
and rebuilding from internal or external conflict. These countries are often highly dependent upon the natural resource base for livelihood and job creation, which are so
vital for stabilizing the country and economy, creating alternative livelihoods for former combatants, and reducing poverty. The end goal of assistance is to create a
stable environment for good governance, increased availability of essential social services, and initial progress in establishing policies and institutions.
• Developing Countries: USAID can assist States with low or lower-middle incomes that are not yet meeting MCC performance criteria. USAID can encourage adoption
of conducive economic policies, sustainable fisheries resource use, the strengthening of institutional capabilities in the public and private sectors, helping these nations
build the capacity to sustain their own progress. The end goal of assistance is to continue progress in expanding and deepening democracy, social services delivery
through public and private organizations, and policies that promote economic growth.
• Transforming Countries: Assist States with low or lower-middle income that meet MCC performance criteria and the criterion related to political rights. Nurture
progress toward partnerships on security and law enforcement, and provide limited resources and technical assistance to reinforce and consolidate good governance.
• Sustaining Partnership Countries: Provide support to States with upper-middle income or greater to sustain partnerships, progress and peace.
• Restrictive Countries: Promote a market-based economy and address humanitarian needs in states of concern, where there are significant governance issues.
All of the US Foreign Assistance Framework Objectives—i.e., Peace and Security, Governing Justly and Democratically, Investing in People, Economic Growth, and
Humanitarian Assistance—are linked with how fisheries are managed, and ocean and freshwater systems are governed or what needs to happen when poorly managed.
• It is increasingly apparent that failed fisheries management will result in poverty and
food insecurity. • Participatory and equitable fisheries management is fundamental to success and
sustainable policies. • Human resources and technical capacity underpin all successful fisheries
management efforts and are lacking in many contexts. • Sustainable fisheries management will result in economic growth that provides jobs,
food, and cultural values over the long-term. • Finally, sustainable fisheries management will reduce humanitarian crises and food
insecurity and provide opportunities for nations emerging from conflict and poverty. An integrated approach linking all of these objectives is fundamental to success.
Strategies need to be tailored to each context—including the ecological, socio-economic, institutional, and cultural contexts. A diverse portfolio of programs can build from
longstanding efforts in some contexts to spread their experience to new contexts.
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6. Recommendations for Secure Fishing Communities and Sustainable
