Overview VGSSF Framework and its status in the Philippines The Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (VGSSF) have been developed as complement to the 1995 FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (the Code). These were developed to provide complementary guidance with respect to small-scale fisheries in support of the overall principles and provisions of the Code. The development of the Guidelines was initiated in 2008 during the First Global Conference on SmallScale Fisheries in Bangkok, Thailand and it was finally endorsed at the 31st Session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) in June 2014. The VGSSF are instruments for sustainable development as well as for supporting food security and nutritional intake, equitable development and poverty eradication, and responsible management of fisheries resources. The VGSSF was developed through a participatory and consultative process, directly involving more than 4,000 representatives of small-scale fishing communities, civil society organizations (CSOs), governments, regional organizations and other stakeholders from more than 120 countries. The VGSSF are voluntary, global in scope and with a focus on the needs of developing countries. It emphasizes the important role of small-scale fisheries for food security and poverty eradication: a source of nutrition, income and economic growth. Existing Policies and Laws and Mechanisms/structures on the Fishery Sector in Northern Palawan4 1. Republic Act No. 8550, otherwise known as the “The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998,” serves as the National Policy of the Fishery Sector. The Fishery Code aims to improve the productivity of the country’s fishery sector and provide conservation and protection to aquatic resources. It’s main objectives include the following: • Conservation, protection and sustained management of the country’s fishery and aquatic resources; • Poverty alleviation and the provision of supplementary livelihood among municipal fisherfolk; • Improvement of productivity of aquaculture within ecological limits; • Optimal utilization of off-shore and deep-sea resources; and, • Upgrading of post-harvest technology. The Fisheries Code mandates that the following provisions shall be enforced to (i) all Philippine waters, (ii) all aquatic and fishery resources including inland, coastal and offshore fishing areas, and (iii) all lands devoted aquaculture businesses whether private or public lands. 2