Sector wide impact assessments on fisheries and aquaculture
As opposed to company-level impact assessments, sector wide impact assessments (SWIAs) look at the actual and potential impacts of a specific business sector in a particular geographic context. This sectoral view can help stakeholders see the “bigger picture” of potential negative impacts of a sector’s activities, as well as potential opportunities for positive human rights outcomes, and to make choices based on this broader perspective.
In collaboration with partners, the Danish Institute for Human Rights has conducted various SWIAs. Amongst these, three SWIAs have been conducted on the fisheries and aquaculture sectors specifically:
- SWIA in small-scale artisanal fishing communities in Bangladesh, conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS), COAST Trust, Manusher Jonno Foundation and DIHR
- SWIA of the salmon industry in Chile, conducted by the National Human Rights Institute of Chile (INDH) and DIHR
- SWIA of the Miskitu community diving fishing industry in Honduras, conducted by the Comisionado Nacional de los Derechos Humanos of Honduras and DIHR
While the methodology is explained here in detail, the interview guides used for the collection of data for the three SWIAs related to fisheries and aquaculture can be found below. Consulting these guides may help researchers to understand the process better and to facilitate the design of their own assessments.
