FIE has the primary responsibility, within the Department, for development and implementation of international instruments with regard to capture fisheries and aquaculture such as UNCLOS, UN Fish Stocks Agreement and FAO Compliance Agreement. FIE promotes, in particular, the implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, its related instruments and other relevant international instruments, and elaborates additional guidelines and international plans of action in specific areas. Technical assistance is provided for the development of regional and national plans of action. 

Code of conduct and International Plans Of Action

FIE Promotes and supports the implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and related instruments such as the FAO Compliance Agreement, the International Plans of Action (IPOAs) and the Strategy-STF, including through activities such as diffusion of information, provision of advice, assistance for the development of related plans of actions, and capacity building.

FIE also monitors implementation of these instruments and reports on progress the Committee on Fisheries and the United Nations General Assembly.

• Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries
• Agreement to promote compliance with international conservation and management measures by fishing vessels on the high seas
• IPOA - International Plans of Action

Extra-budgetary resources are supporting major projects in support of the implementation of the Code of Conduct:

• Support to implementation of approaches for sustainable livelihood in fishing communities.

• Support to implementation of the Code at global, regional and national levels by national and local governments and civil society – FishCode: an Interregional Assistance Programme for external assistance aimed at supporting implementation of the Code

Other instruments

FIE promotes the implementation of other relevant international instruments, inter alia, as listed in the International Agreements and Initiatives page.