The formation of WFFP

Traditional fish workers, when they go to the sea carry some beliefs, morals and above all faith in the ‘mother sea', which they keep close to their hearts. It is this faith, which keeps them alive in the midst of all odds. It is the same faith and courage, which gave them the confidence to unite and struggle for their rights. This urge to fight common battles together led to the formation of a national alliance of different local fish workers struggle under the banner of National Fish workers Forum, in India and other countries led to the formation of an international alliance of fisher people called World Forum of Fisher peoples (WFFP). Since 21-11-1997 , the fisher people under the banner of World Forum have been working. This was inaugurated in Delhi , with protecting, defending and strengthening communities that depend on fishing for their livelihood as the main objectives. It was to provide support for national and international struggles that are consistent with the objectives of the Forum

The following are the rationale for the creation of WFFP.

It is the voice of the traditional fisher people of Asia & Africa, Pacific, Europe and America

Since 90% traditional fisher people are in Asia and Africa , their representation should be absolutely guaranteed.

WFFP will not be allowed to be controlled by neither groups' particularly industrial group nor the North.

We realize that we will not allow two kinds of citizenship in WFFP- some staying in five star hotels and others in the common places. It is based on equality.

WFFP will be completely controlled by traditional small fisher people. As a result we keep out medium vessels

At all levels WFFP will try to attain gender balance. A conscious effort will be taken to achieve them.

WFFP will try to work out the struggles in such a way that the fishing communities that depend on fishing for the livelihood will own the water bodies and fishing implements. This is the way we will struggle to address the issue over capacity.

We have declared November 21 as World Fisheries to protect the fish resources and fishing communities and November 30 as Anti WTO day. It was a moment of our strength to fight against globalization and MNC 's. WFFP has joined other for a like PGA and International Forum against Globalization.

WFFP has strengthened our struggles to get the innocent fishermen out from the jails in Sri Lanka , Pakistan , India and Bangladesh

WFFP has joined with other environmental groups that are fishing against intense aquaculture, ship breaking yard, Toxic and atomic waste and industrial waste.

WFFP has already come out in strong support of the struggles of traditional fisher people in India in the latter's recent struggles. It was with great enthusiasm that NFF received support from the WFFP constituents form all over the world.

WFFP has every right to exist on its own merit of freedom and equality and space to breathe the air of freedom leave alone to grow as we are.

The word Fisher people is important. It has been an historical evolution. Most of the traditional fisher peoples' organizations used ‘FISHERMEN' in the past. This was considered as an influence of the patriarchal set-up. So to have gender equality we started using the term ‘FISHWORKER'. Now the stress is on community where children, youth every body is involved and hence we now use ‘WORLD FORUM OF FISHER PEOPLES' (WFFP). This clearly shows traditional family fishers as distinct from industrial fleets, where the worker, owner, employer and employee relationships come.