The role of NHRIs in promoting the meaningful participation of small-scale fishers in marine & coastal resource governance and conservation

In light of the impacts of climate change, growing Blue Economy sectors and unsustainable practices of extracting marine resources, ocean conservation is increasingly recognized as a global priority. However, policies and regulations put in place to protect the health of the ocean can also violate the rights of small-scale fishing communities. Small-scale fishers, who rely directly on marine and coastal ecosystems for their livelihoods, are often excluded from decision-making processes that affect their access to resources. Without their meaningful participation, conservation measures risk undermining their rights to, for instance, land tenure, food and culture. A human rights-based approach (HRBA) ensures that conservation policies are not only ecologically sound but also comply with international human rights obligations, empowering communities to contribute their knowledge and safeguard their futures.

Against this backdrop, the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) and the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) convened a peer-learning event in Nairobi, Kenya, on 19–20 March 2025. Representatives from ten African National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) gathered to strengthen their capacity to promote a HRBA in marine and coastal governance. The event combined expert presentations from organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) with case studies and group exercises, enabling participants to explore practical strategies for integrating human rights into conservation and resource management.

Discussions during the event highlighted both challenges and opportunities in applying a HRBA to ocean governance. Participants examined the impacts of climate change, Blue Economy policies, and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) on small-scale fishing communities, noting that conservation measures that do not adequately consider human rights can displace communities or restrict livelihoods. At the same time, examples of co-management and participatory monitoring demonstrated how inclusive approaches can strengthen compliance, sustainability, and cultural recognition. Civil society organizations, including AFRISH-NET and AWFishNET, emphasized the importance of gender-sensitive participation, ensuring that women and marginalized groups are not left behind.

The report emerging from this event underscores what meaningful participation in ocean conservation entails. It stresses that participation must be active, free, informed, and inclusive, drawing on international instruments such as the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines). Importantly, the report showcases good practices from NHRIs, illustrating how their mandates position them to engage directly on human rights in ocean conservation in multiple ways. By bridging government, civil society, and communities, NHRIs can ensure that conservation policies respect rights while advancing sustainability.