The small-scale fisheries have been making great contributions to world food security, poverty reduction, nutrition, etc. However, the communities engaged in small-scale fisheries are facing vulnerable and unsecured living and working conditions, and the importance of small-scale fisheries management has been paid attention by various countries. The whole world hasn’t yet made a unified conclusion and management methods due to the variation of small-scale fisheries. Based on a collection of the identification of small-scale fisheries and management information of FAO and countries who have had small-scale fisheries management experience, the author indicate that the single model for Chinese fishery management is no longer applicable to the current situation of fisheries resources. And with the widespread concern of human rights and fair, there is a need to make a distinction between small-scale fisheries and large-scale fisheries in the management. The paper proposes a definition of small-scale fisheries concerning with the way of operating, operating waters, which should protect small-scale fisheries practitioners’ equitable participation and sustainable development of fisheries and resources.