There are presently about thirty active regional fishery bodies, nine of which have been established under the FAO Constitution. FAO has also facilitated the establishment of several of the other bodies and serves as depositary for the instrument of acceptance of some of the bodies.

The work of FAO regional fishery bodies is coordinated at the global level through the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) which provides the central framework for collaboration. Prior to 1977 the COFI Sub-Committee on the Development of Cooperation with International Organizations concerned with fisheries provided a vital link between FAO and non-FAO regional fishery bodies. At present, however, there is no formal working relationship between COFI and non-FAO regional fishery bodies. COFI has however on many occasions reaffirmed the need for effective regional fishery organizations and arrangements with a view to managing fish stocks in a sustainable and responsible manner. There have been perceptibly significant improvements in performance of regional fishery bodies during the last decade. Several of them have made vital contributions to international fishery management. Many factors, however, hinder these bodies from being effective. These bodies also need to be more pro-active and anticipate crises which might confront them in the future.

These considerations were in the minds of the experts at the meeting of the High-Level Panel of External Experts in Fisheries convened earlier this year by the Director-General of FAO, and which recommended that FAO convene a meeting of these bodies.

FAO is therefore organizing a two-day meeting of FAO and non-FAO regional fishery bodies, on 11 and 12 February 1999 at FAO Headquarters in Rome, just before the next session of COFI scheduled from 15 to 19 February. The main objective of the meeting, to be coordinated by FAO, would be to exchange views and experience with respect to common issues relating to fishery bodies and to discuss strategies for the promotion of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the recently adopted international agreements. The possible institutional linkage between COFI and these bodies, particularly non-FAO bodies, could also be addressed. FAO is convinced that better coordination among regional fishery bodies and a closer linkage between them and COFI will greatly improve the global governance in fisheries.

All FAO and non-FAO regional fishery bodies and arrangements have been invited to send a representative to the meeting. Economic groupings with interest in fisheries are expected to send observers. The meeting will be held in English only and participants are requested to attend at their own expense.