How are regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) dealing with the vulnerabilities of developing States? According to Article 24 of the UNFSA paragraph 2 (a), in giving effect to the duty to cooperate in the establishment of conservation and management measures for straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks, States are to take into account the special requirement of developing States, in particular the vulnerability of developing States which are dependent on the exploitation of living marine resources, including for meeting the nutritional requirements of their populations.No one would disagree that this aspect is linked to the Sustainable Development Goal 1 to end poverty, and SDG 2 to end hunger, in particular, of fishing communities, including women and children in these communities. In this context,there is need to avoid adverse impacts on, and ensure access to fisheries by subsistence, small-scale artisanal fishers and women fishworkers, as well as indigenous people in developing States. You are aware that the Sustainable Development Goal 14 has target b that seeks to provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets. When it comes to shared waters and shared stocks, which includes highly migratory fish stocks, States and regional bodies should work together to ensure that the tenure rights of small-scale fishing communities are protected, as has been highlighted in the 2014 Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication in para 5.19. Following paragraph 2.4 of the SSF Guidelines, we would welcome if RFMOs could ascertain which activities and operators are considered small-scale in their area of jurisdiction,and also identity vulnerable and marginalized groups dependent on highly migratory fish stocks in these areas. It is important to look at the role of women in fisheries for highly migratory fish stocks, especially in small-island developing States. It is further important that safety at sea is integrated into the general management of fisheries. RFMOs should pay attention to this vital aspect of vulnerability. We would urge RFMOs to broaden their perspective on long-term conservation and sustainable use to recognize the importance of strengthening the social pillar of sustainable development to achieve their mandate. In this context, we urge you to recognize the human rights-based approach to complement the application of precautionary approach to conservation and management. Adopting a human rights-based approach would be beneficial in securing women’s equal participation in decision-making processes for policies directed towards small-scale fisheries for highly migratory fish stocks. It would also help to look into the decent work deficit in relation to fisheries for straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks.