Risk analysis is an objective, systematic, standardized and defensible method of assessing the likelihood of negative consequences occurring due to a proposed action or activity and the likely magnitude of those consequences. The recently-published FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper, Understanding and applying risk analysis in aquaculture, describes the application of risk analysis to seven risk sectors in aquaculture production -- i.e. pathogen risks, food safety and public health risks, genetic risks, ecological (pest) risks, environmental risks, financial risks and social risks -- which can lead to improved profitability and sustainability of the sector.
