COFI Sub-Committee on Aquaculture
The Sub-Committee on Aquaculture plays a pivotal role in facilitating and convening discussions, consultations and deliberations regarding the development of sustainable aquaculture, including pertinent technical and policy matters aligned with FAO’s mission and work.
13th Session 20-23 May 2025 - Rome, Italy (hybrid)
Establishment and First Session
The Sub-Committee on Aquaculture (COFI:AQ) was established by the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) at its Twenty-fourth Session in 2001 in accordance with Rule XXX-10 of the General Rules of the Organization and Rule VII of the COFI Rules of Procedure. The First Session was held on 18−22 April 2002 in Beijing, China.
Membership
COFI:AQ is open to all Members of the Organization. Non-Members of FAO that are Members of the United Nations, or any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency, may be admitted by the Council of the Organization to membership in the Sub-Committee.
Observers
Entities and registered COFI observers can join the Sub-Committee by contacting [email protected].
Main functions
COFI:AQ provides a forum for consultation and discussion and advises COFI on technical and policy matters and on the work to be performed by the Organization in the field of sustainable aquaculture. This includes identifying major issues and trends that require action to increase the sustainable contribution of aquaculture to food security, economic development and poverty alleviation, and recommending international action to address sustainable aquaculture development needs, advising on the preparation of technical reviews and of issues and trends of international significance, and addressing any specific matters relating to aquaculture referred to it by its Members, COFI or the Director-General of FAO.
During its Thirteenth Session, which includes the protocol and traditional agenda, the Sub-Committee will update and discuss global trends in aquaculture development and the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) aquaculture questionnaire, which has recently been updated to reflect the new FAO Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture (GSA).
Discussions will also cover challenges and opportunities in the implementation of the GSA, which were adopted by the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) in July 2024 and subsequently endorsed by the FAO Council and recognized as a priority in the context of sustainable agrifood systems in declarations by the G20 and G7 agriculture ministers later the same year.
There are also two thematic focuses on the agenda: climate change adaptation and resilience in aquaculture, and aquaculture and the circular economy. Both areas are emerging issues and require Members to contribute on and discuss good practices and strategic planning and management.
