The Resources Legacy Fund (RLF) has launched a new chapter in Sustainable Fisheries Fund (SFF) grantmaking to support fishery improvement projects (FIPs) worldwide to implement the Fishery Progress Human Rights and Social Responsibility Policy (HRSRP).
Resources Legacy Fund (RLF), a California-based non-profit organization, established the Sustainable Fisheries Fund (SFF) in 2002 to promote ecologically sustainable fishing practices worldwide. SFF began by supporting the efforts of small-scale fisheries to reduce their environmental impacts through the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification process. Later, SFF‘s efforts expanded to support additional sustainability pathways, including fishery improvement projects (FIPs) and Fair Trade certification.
Funding Information
Match funding of at least one-to-one is required for all projects (for example, $10,000 in external funding to match a $10,000 SFF grant).
Types of Projects
SFF seeks the following types of project proposals for funding consideration:
Design and launch of new FIPs, consistent with Conservation Alliance FIP and definitions, and with explicit commitment to implement required and/or voluntary components of the HRSRP.
For existing FIPs listed in good standing on FisheryProgress, projects to complete required and/or voluntary components of the HRSRP along with other planned fishery improvement activities.
The following additional components of a project are eligible for grant support, if pursued alongside implementation of the HRSRP:
MSC pre-assessments;
MSC full assessments and re-assessments of strategic importance, on a limited basis;
Fair Trade audits; and,
Other fishery improvement activities consistent with overall SFF , including stakeholder participation and capacity building efforts that advance marine conservation and address social responsibility and human rights.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible organizations
Proposals will be accepted from the following types of entities:
Fishing, fish-worker, or seafood organizations;
Fishery management agencies;
Academic or research organizations;
Nonprofit and other non-governmental organizations working in partnership with fisheries or agencies;
Private consultancies contracted by fisheries to support FIPs and advance sustainability certifications;
Other types of organizations may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Past SFF grantees whose grants have been closed with an approved final report are eligible to apply for funding. Such applicants must identify past SFF funding.
Fishing, fish-worker, or seafood organizations; fishery management agencies; research organizations; non-profit organizations; and contracted private consultancies to support FIPs and advance sustainability certifications. Other applicants, including individual businesses, may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
