This month in Hua Hin, Thailand, hundreds of fishers, researchers, organizers, policymakers and community leaders gathered for the TBTI 5th World Small Scale Fisheries Congress. Calling it simply a conference almost feels misleading, as it felt more like a meeting point between movements. There were academic panels and policy discussions, but also community exchanges, storytelling sessions, songs, fisher-led conversations, youth gatherings and long reflections on what it actually means to protect coastal livelihoods in a rapidly changing world.
The theme this year, “Small Scale Fisheries for Advancing Just Harmony, Young Futures and Regenerative Wisdom,” might sound abstract at first, but over the course of the week, it became a lived framework that shaped almost every discussion. Sivaja Nair, RISE UP Programme Manager, was there.
Beyond Traditional Fisheries Management
One of the most striking shifts in the congress was how far the conversation has moved beyond traditional fisheries management. While technical topics like stock assessments, enforcement and monitoring were still present, the dominant focus had clearly shifted toward questions of justice, rights and survival. Participants spoke repeatedly about territorial rights, displacement caused by coastal development, ocean grabbing, climate adaptation, food sovereignty and the deeper question of who actually gets to decide what happens in coastal spaces. A recurring message was that small scale fishers should not be seen merely as stakeholders to be consulted after decisions are made, but as rights holders, knowledge holders and governance actors in their own right.
The Growing Tension Around the Blue Economy
A strong underlying tension throughout the week was the global push around the blue economy. Many participants expressed concern that, while initiatives such as tourism development, industrial fishing, offshore energy, marine conservation zones, aquaculture expansion and carbon or biodiversity projects are not inherently negative, they often proceed without meaningful community participation. In such cases, they can end up excluding the very coastal communities that have long sustained and cared for these ecosystems. In this context, the phrase “just harmony” was used frequently, not to mean the absence of conflict, but rather the possibility of fair and negotiated coexistence between different uses and visions of the ocean.
Youth at the Center of the Conversation
Youth perspectives were also far more central than in previous editions of the congress. Rather than being treated as a side topic, young people were placed at the center of discussions about the future of fisheries. Many spoke openly about why younger generations are leaving the sector, pointing to unstable incomes, debt, lack of dignity, climate uncertainty and limited political voice. At the same time, there was also a strong sense of possibility, with conversations emerging around youth leadership, digital storytelling, cultural identity and building futures where fishing communities are not only economically viable, but also socially and culturally meaningful. The emphasis was less on simply retaining youth in fisheries, and more on creating conditions where young people would actually want to stay.
Regenerative Wisdom and Relational Thinking
Another key idea that resonated throughout the week was “regenerative wisdom.” Rather than focusing only on sustainability, discussions increasingly emphasized relationships, between people and ecosystems, between generations and between communities and the ocean. Fishers were consistently described not just as food producers, but as stewards of ecosystems, holders of knowledge and caretakers of coastal cultures. There was also a clear pushback against reducing the ocean to an economic resource alone, with several speakers arguing that small scale fisheries already represent a low carbon, place based and relational model of food production that the world may need more of, not less.
A Congress Shaped by Voices and Culture
What also made this congress distinctive was its format. Alongside policy forums and technical sessions, there were cultural performances, field visits and fisher to fisher exchanges, creating a space where community voices were not confined to symbolic participation, but shaped the overall atmosphere of the event. One of the most powerful elements was hearing people from very different regions describe remarkably similar struggles, loss of access, privatization of coastal spaces, declining recognition and ongoing efforts to maintain livelihoods and identity. Despite differences in geography and language, the sense of connection across communities was immediate.
Looking Ahead: From Participation to Leadership
If there was a unifying message that emerged, it was that small scale fisheries are no longer simply asking to be included in ocean governance conversations. Increasingly, they are asserting themselves as central actors in shaping the future of marine spaces. Whether institutions and governments fully respond to this shift remains uncertain, but the direction of travel was clear in Thailand. Small scale fisheries are becoming more organized, more globally connected and more confident in articulating a political vision that extends beyond fisheries policy alone, toward broader questions of justice, food systems, climate resilience and the future of coastal life.
RISE UP at the Congress
Ahead of the congress, RISE UP co-organised a one-day workshop on Preferential Access Areas (PAAs) for small-scale fisheries. The workshop brought together fishers’ leaders, researchers, practitioners and policy actors to explore how PAAs can support equitable ocean governance, community stewardship and sustainable livelihoods.
Through lightning talks, breakout discussions and deep dives, participants exchanged perspectives on marine tenure, biodiversity, local stewardship models, and governance frameworks. The conversations also connected PAAs to global policy processes, including the SSF Guidelines, the Global Biodiversity Framework and WTO fisheries negotiations.
Key challenges, opportunities and strategic priorities were identified for advancing community-led approaches to preferential access, while strengthening collaboration and building a global community of practice around PAAs.
If you would like to be involved in this work reach out to RISE UP programme manager – Sivaja Nair: sivaja@riseupfortheocean.org