The Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management is a forum for discussing fisheries management issues at national, regional and global levels. It deals with technical and policy matters in line with FAO's mission, and actively collaborates with relevant regional and international organizations, countries, stakeholder groups, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), forging new collaborations where needed.
Second Session of the Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management – from 23 to 27 February 2026, Reykjavik, Iceland
Establishment
The Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management was established during the Thirty-Fifth session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI), in accordance with Rule XXX-10 of the General Rules of the Organization and Rule
VII of the COFI Rules of Procedure.
Membership
The Sub-Committee is open to all Member Nations of the Organization. Additionally, non-Member states of the Organization that are members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International
Atomic Energy Agency, may seek admission to the Sub-Committee. The admission is subject to the approval by the FAO Council.
Observers
Entities and registered COFI observers can join the Sub-Commitee by contacting [email protected].
Main functions
The primary functions of the Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management are to provide essential technical and policy guidance on fisheries governance and management, with the aim of advancing the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. Furthermore, it identifies significant global issues and trends in fisheries management and sustainable development that require urgent measures, offering guidance and recommendations for addressing them.
The Sub-Committee collaborates closely with both the Sub-Committee on Aquaculture and the sub-Committee on Fish Trade, further enriching the scope of its engagement in fisheries-related matters.
For a comprehensive description of the Sub-Committee’s functions, refer to the full Terms of Reference here (page 68).
Highlights
Opener
Second session of FAO Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management: conservation, sustainable use and social dimensions
Country delegates and observers convene at the second session of the Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management to discuss conservation, sustainable use and the integration of social dimensions in effective fisheries management.
Fisheries management
Effective management is vital to sustainable fisheries
Well-managed fisheries are the ones that flourish. This article analyzes how co-management, participatory data collection and integrating climate risks can contribute to effective, science-based fisheries management.
