The purpose of these Guidelines is to increase awareness about the needs of small-scale fishers for better risk management, disaster preparedness and insurance services; to provide guidance to policy and decision makers to help introduce insurance services to small-scale fishers; to build capacity among insurance providers, fisherfolk organizations and other stakeholders; and to promote insurance services that incentivize and reward a responsible and sustainable conduct of fishing operations and a better preparedness for natural disasters. These Guidelines provide the context and framework in which insurance programmes for small-scale fisheries should be conceived. The document explains why most small-scale fishers are presently not insured. Major risks and consequences faced by fishers are identified and the main components of an enabling environment and different options for the provision of insurance facilities and services are presented. Practical advice is given on how to design and implement insurance programmes that suit the needs of small-scale fishing communities.