The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is holding a regional workshop in Abu Dhabi, UAE 8-11 December 2013, to conclude its on-going project promoting fish stock assessment, regional collaboration and capacity development among Kingdom of Bahrain, Kuwait, Sultanate of Oman, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

Fisheries in the Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Gulf of Aden are key to both livelihoods and food security for coastal communities as well as citizens throughout the region. Yet, these very resources are threatened due to a combination of factors, including overfishing and climate change impacts. Reliable and comprehensive stock assessment and regional cooperation are key components of the foundation for sustainable fisheries management and for ensuring these resources will remain for future generations.

The FAO regional project which began in March 2013 has worked to address a combination of critical challenges for fisheries resources appraisal and management in the region through training regional experts in performing joint assessment of fish stocks and formulating full stock assessment analysis using national fishery data. In addition, FAO, through the project has contributed to building a regional network of fishery experts. It is also helping strengthen the network for tackling fisheries assessment and management issues in the GCC countries and Yemen.

The concluding workshop of the project will entail participants focusing on the finalisation of their country studies and management recommendations and present them to senior fisheries staff and management authorities the seven countries.