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 Fisheries
Fish provides nutritious food, employment and income for millions of people in Asia and the Pacific. In 2001, capture fishery production from this region accounted for half of world production, with aquaculture alone reaching 89 percent of the global aquaculture production of fish and shellfish.

Fisheries are critical to the food security of most countries in the region and, although demand for fish is increasing, the supply from capture fisheries is unlikely to increase unless some fairly far-reaching management measures are introduced. Marine coastal fisheries in particular are either fully or over-exploited. Aquaculture, and to a lesser extent inland fisheries, may provide some opportunities for further increases in fish production in the region, but only if they are managed sustainably.

The FAO regional office, also working through the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission (APFIC) – a stautory body of the Organization which presently has a membership of 20 countries – is addressing these issues by promoting:

Sound management and sustainable use of resources in fisheries and aquaculture
Development of fisheries and aquaculture techniques
Responsible aquaculture development
Conservation of marine and inland fisheries' resources within the Framework of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries
Strengthened regional institutions and international collaboration in support of responsible fisheries
Improved fisheries statistics



News
Unique collaboration in Lao PDR results in fisheries legislative review
the Lao People's Democratic Republic, 17 Jun 2009

Thai small-scale aquaculture to meet international standards
Thailand, 12 May 2009

Fish feed scare highlights challenges of aquaculture boom
28 May 2007

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Recent Publications

... Ecosystem approach to fisheries and aquaculture: Implementing the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries
RAP Publication - 2009/11
[abstract]  [view/download]

... Practical implementation of the ecosystem approach to fisheries and aquaculture
RAP Publication - 2009/10
[abstract]  [view/download]

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Upcoming Meetings
Date
Title Location
5-9 October 2009 Second Workshop on Assessment of the Fish Stock Status in South and Southeast Asian Countries

(for information: Simon Funge-Smith)
Bangkok,
Thailand
13-15 October 2009 Regional Workshop on Best Practices to Support and Improve Livelihoods of Small-scale Fisheries and Aquaculture Households

(for information: Simon Funge-Smith)
Manila,
Philippines
16 October 2009 Pre-inception Workshop of the Regional Fisheries Livelihood Programme

(for information: Simon Funge-Smith)
Manila,
Philippines
3-5 November 2009 Inception Workshop of the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem Project

(for information: Christopher O'Brien)
Bangkok,
Thailand
3-6 November 2009 Inception Workshop for the Project on Strategies for Fisheries By-catch Management

(for information: Simon Funge-Smith)
Samut Prakarn,
Thailand
9-11 December 2009 Aquaculture Policy Development in Southeast Asia

(for information: Weimin Miao)
Bangkok,
Thailand

  <more...>

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