The COFI Sub-Committee on Fish Trade (COFI:FT) functions as a platform for discussions among FAO Members about the technical and economic dimensions of international trade in fisheries and aquaculture products, encompassing relevant elements of production and consumption.
20th Session of COFI:FT – from 8 to 12 September 2025 (virtual)
Establishment
COFI:FT was established by the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) at its Sixteenth Session (1985) in accordance with Rule XXX-10 of the General Rules of FAO and Rule VII of the COFI Rules of Procedure. The first Session of COFI:FT was held from 7 to 10 October 1986 in Rome, Italy.
Membership
It is open to all Member Nations of FAO. Non-Member states of FAO that are members of the United Nations, any of its specialized agencies, or the International Atomic Energy Agency may be granted membership by the FAO Council.
Observers
Entities and registered COFI observers can participate in the Sub-Committee Sessions by contacting in advance [email protected].
Main functions
The COFI Sub-Committee on Fish Trade (COFI:FT) serves as the dedicated platform within the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) for addressing post-harvest matters of fisheries and aquaculture – specifically the trade, economic, and market dimensions of fisheries and aquaculture products. It supports the responsible and sustainable movement of these products across international markets.
Considering the interlinkages with fisheries and aquaculture production, the Sub-Committee collaborates closely with both the Sub-Committee on Aquaculture (COFI:AQ) and the Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management (COFI:FM), ensuring a coherent approach across the value chain – from production to trade and markets.
Paragraph 48 of the Report of the 16th Session of COFI provides the terms of reference of COFI:FT.
- Conducting regular assessments of global fisheries and aquaculture markets, encompassing all contributing elements.
- Addressing particular challenges associated with fisheries and aquaculture trade, including market access, digitalisation, certification schemes, non-tariff measures, and sustainability-driven trade requirements and regulations, while identifying solutions to enhance the international trade of fisheries and aquaculture products.
- Formulating recommendations to improve the participation of developing countries in the trade of fisheries and aquaculture products, encompassing strategies for value addition and access to market and trade-related services.
- Promoting the harmonization of international quality standards, food safety regulations, and inspection procedures in collaboration with the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission and other relevant bodies.
- Supporting responsible fisheries trade by promoting traceability systems, ecolabelling, and initiatives to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, ensuring legal provenance and sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture products.
- Consulting and providing advice for economically sustainable fisheries and aquaculture activity development, including modern processing techniques, responsible aquaculture practices, reduction of food loss and waste, product upgrade, and enhanced production of final products in developing countries.
- Engaging with international initiatives to promote responsible fisheries and aquaculture trade and sustainable value chains while fostering collaboration with other FAO bodies and international organizations.
- Monitoring and supporting the implementation of Article 11 of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF), relevant to post-harvest practices and trade.
The FAO Sub-Committee on Fish Trade (COFI:FT) brings together Members and stakeholders to analyze the present and shape the future of global fisheries and aquaculture value chains and trade. On the agenda of the 20th session of the sub-committee are priorities such as sustainable global trends, the economic impacts of IUU fishing, increasing competitiveness, attesting legal provenance, the vital role of small-scale operators, and addressing food safety issues. The Sub-Committee will also highlight innovative bioeconomy solutions, efforts to reduce food loss and waste, and the crucial role of ports as hubs for coastal communities and trade connectivity. Members will further explore trade intelligence tools such as TINA from UNESCAP to assist countries in navigating evolving market access challenges. Discussions will also reflect the FAO’s role in supporting Members in implementing the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. With FAO’s Blue Transformation as a guiding vision, COFI:FT continues to link post-harvest, trade, sustainability, and food security in a fast-changing world.
FAO GLOBEFISH is a multi-donor funded project that provides relevant and current information on markets and trade that can be beneficial to countries in their trade and monitoring activities.
More information at Globefish.