Publications
European mussel farming - A practical manual
26/01/2026
This manual offers practical guidance on blue and Mediterranean mussel cultivation for new and established producers. It covers small- and large-scale farming from site selection and farm design to cultivation, harvesting, and food safety, with an overview of biology, environmental needs, site assessment, equipment, and on-bottom and offshore long-line techniques.
Aquaculture – Aquatic foods and climate policy
19/11/2025
Aquatic food systems are increasingly recognized as an essential contributor of adaptation and mitigation solutions in national climate strategies, while safeguarding food and nutrition security for billions of people. With countries submitting updated nationally determined contributions (NDCs), there is a timely opportunity to scale up climate action on aquatic foods.
Edible seaweed food guide
14/11/2025
This manual provides a practical guide for preparing seaweed-based foods in China, and it aims to raise global awareness of the nutritional and culinary potential of edible seaweeds.
Seaweed for the future: public policy recommendations towards a blue transformation in Latin America
21/10/2025
The cultivation of macroalgae in Latin America and the Caribbean represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen food security, foster economic development and promote environmental sustainability.
Aquaculture development - 10. Responsible investment for sustainable aquaculture
02/09/2025
These guidelines aim to support current and prospective entrepreneurs and investors by outlining essential steps to help them determine whether to invest or continue investing in aquaculture. In addition, the guidelines provide prospective entrepreneurs and investors a list of actions they could take to secure the funding necessary to establish, maintain, and operate sustainable aquaculture farms as successful businesses.
Private investment and public–private partnerships in aquaculture in Rwanda
01/09/2025
The present study proposes the following policy recommendations: implementing financial inclusion measures, addressing collateral-related challenges and enhancing financial institutions’ understanding of the aquaculture sector.
Aquaculture Adaptation Framework for Climate Change (Aqua-Adapt)
29/08/2025
A tool to support the development and implementation of strategies to improve aquaculture’s resilience to climate change
The role of aquaculture in the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
19/08/2025
This technical paper summarizes how the aquaculture sector contributes to the vision, goals, and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) with a view to ensuring that sustainable aquaculture systems and practices are not overlooked in efforts to achieve the KMGBF targets.
Farmers of the water
07/04/2025
This publication presents an educational toolkit designed to take teachers and students throughout the Mediterranean and the Black Sea on a journey to discover the aquaculture sector in their region....
Sea moss cultivation in the Caribbean
01/04/2025
This manual provides a comprehensive guide on best practices for sea moss cultivation in the Caribbean, emphasizing its economic potential and role in supporting rural and coastal communities. Sea moss (Kappaphycus alvarezii), commonly known as Eucheuma cottonii, has long been harvested in the region for cultural and culinary uses, and its cultivation presents a sustainable opportunity for economic growth and environmental conservation.
Feasibility study on the challenges and opportunities of smart and sustainable aquaculture through effective biosecurity and digital technology in Peru – Key summary
17/03/2025
This document presents key findings from a comprehensive feasibility study on smart and sustainable aquaculture in Peru, aimed at examining the current state of the shrimp aquaculture industry, particularly in...
Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture
20/01/2025
The Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture (GSA) were prepared at the request of Members in an inclusive, transparent and participatory manner under the guidance of the Sub-Committee on Aquaculture of the...
The Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture at a glance
17/01/2025
The vision of the Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture (GSA) is of an aquaculture sector that contributes significantly to a world free from hunger and to the equitable improvement of the...
Responsible use of fishmeal in aquaculture
16/01/2025
The FAO Innovation for Blue Transformation series introduces relevant policy initiatives, mechanisms and tools to promote innovation and technical solutions that can accelerate aquatic food systems transformation. The series shares...
Status, technological innovations, and industry development needs of mud crab (Scylla spp.) aquaculture – FAO Expert Workshop, 27–30 November 2023, Singapore
06/01/2025
The FAO Expert Workshop on Mud Crab Aquaculture, held in Singapore, brought together leading experts to address critical challenges and emerging opportunities in the sustainable farming of Scylla spp. mud...
Making aquafeed more sustainable and accessible
03/01/2025
Aquafeeds are the largest variable cost in fed aquaculture, accounting for up to 70 percent of total expenses. Their high cost can make fish farming unfeasible, which highlights the need...
Innovative technology enables fish farming in arid regions
02/01/2025
Despite high temperatures and limited water resources, arid regions show promise for aquaculture. New innovative technologies like aquaponics and closed recirculation systems now enable fish farming in these challenging environments....
Advancing aquatic food solutions from pond to plate
24/12/2024
The FAO has a Blue Transformation roadmap to ensure aquatic foods contribute more significantly to ending hunger and poverty. Sustainable aquaculture expansion is a major objective of Blue Transformation. To...
Aquaculture insurance for small-scale producers
09/12/2024
Insurance can help small-scale aquaculture farmers and producers become more resilient to shocks.
Policies and strategic plans in support of aquaculture development in sub-Saharan Africa
16/10/2024
The policy research initiative aims to enhance the FAO capacity to support African Member Countries’ design and implementation of aquaculture policies aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the FAO Blue Transformation vision.