International expert meeting on human rights and fisheries - meeting outcome report

In November 2023, the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) organised the International Expert Meeting on Human and Fisheries with support from Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The overall objective of this meeting was to take stock of relevant developments on human rights issues as related to small-scale fishers, Indigenous Peoples, fish workers and fishing-dependent communities.

 The meeting also aimed at facilitating knowledge-sharing between key actors and exploring emerging opportunities on these topics. The meeting brought together participants from key UN human rights mechanisms and agencies, the international human rights system, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), representatives of fishers and fishing-dependent communities, civil society organisations, companies, and academia. 

The participants discussed the importance of fisheries for the realisation of human rights, the human rights impacts associated with the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, as well as strategies and opportunities to address these through multi-stakeholder dialogue and joint actions at national, regional, and global levels. This is the outcome document of the meeting. Each section reflects on the gaps and opportunities identified and outlines proposed actions.