Aquatic biodiversity used for food and agriculture underpins production in both capture fisheries and aquaculture. It is the basis on which the two sectors can exist and grow sustainably, and its responsible management is essential to guarantee access to aquatic foods for current and future generations.
FAO, through the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division and the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, has a mandate to support countries to conserve and sustainably use aquatic genetic resources for food security, and to ensure their fair and equitable access and benefit sharing.
Recent publications
The State of the World's Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
04/12/2019
The conservation, sustainable use and development of aquatic genetic resources (AqGR) is critical to the future supply of fish. The State of the World’s Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture is the first ever global assessment of these resources, with the scope of this first Report being limited to cultured AqGR and their wild relatives, within national jurisdiction.
The State of the World’s Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture - in brief
04/12/2019
In 2007, the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Commission) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) included the preparation of the report on The State of the World’s Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Report) into its Multi-Year Programme of Work.
Global Plan of Action for the Conservation, Sustainable Use and Development of Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
05/12/2022
This Global Plan of Action for the Conservation, Sustainable Use and Development of Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (GPA) was developed by FAO at the request of the members of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in response to the needs and challenges identified in the first global assessment of the status of Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (AqGR).
Effective genetic management is vital to the future of sustainable aquaculture
12/05/2025
FAO brings together global expertise to support countries in conserving aquatic biodiversity while building more productive and resilient aquaculture systems. Resources and tools such as the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation, Sustainable Use and Development of Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the FAO AquaticGenetic Resources Information System (AquaGRIS) are designed to guide and inform national and regional efforts.
