Viability and Sustainability of Small-Scale Fisheries in Latin America and The Caribbean

Like elsewhere around the world, small-scale fisheries in Latin America and the Caribbean are highly diverse and complex, thus posing great challenges to governance. Coupled with these characteristics are the various changes that smallscale fisheries are exposed to, including climate-induced changes, environmental variability, and market fluctuation. Several tools and approaches have been used to manage small-scale fisheries in the region and lessons from their application provide a strong basis for the discussion about what needs to be done in light of these changing conditions. The focus on the viability and sustainability of small-scale fisheries, which is the topic of the book, aligns with the objectives of the international instruments such as The Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries and the Sustainable Development Goals. The chapter provides the rationale for the examination of viability and sustainability in small-scale fisheries in Latin America and the Caribbean and introduces the case studies covered in the book.