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The main outcome of FAO's work in this area will be improved sustainable fishing practices and reduced impacts of fishing operations on ecosystems.

It is envisaged that actions taken in this area will support States, especially developing countries including Small Island Developing States (SIDS), by providing assistance to put in place policies and measures to effectively address environmental and biodiversity impacts of fishing operations that have been identified in each particular country context.

Actions will be particularly focused on addressing discards, catch of unwanted bycatch of both fish and non-fish, catch by abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) also called ‘ghost fishing’, preventing and reducing ALDFG, improving energy efficiency, and promoting the implementation of best practice measures for the use and management of different types of fishing gear, in particular those most commonly associated with harmful and avoidable impacts on the marine environment, or on marine species.