The FAO Regional Commission for Fisheries (RECOFI) will hold its Fifth Session in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, during the period 12 - 14 May 2009. The Session is held at the kind invitation of the United Arab Emirates with the participation of the eight RECOFI member countries (Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates), in addition to observers from several organizations and countries, from the region and elsewhere. 

The Commission will discuss and deliberate on several issues, including: (i) the establishment of the Regional Aquaculture Information System (RAIS); (ii) the progress made towards the development of a regional programme for aquatic animal health in aquaculture; (iii) the activities undertaken to support the sustainable developments of marine cage aquaculture in the region; (iv) the proposed project to strengthen the legal and policy framework for aquaculture in the RECOFI area; (v) the establishment and activities of the RECOFI Working Group on Fisheries Management; (vi) the state of exploitation of the fish stocks in the RECOFI region; (vii) the RECOFI fisheries production database; (viii) efforts made and actions taken to improve the utility and diffusion of fisheries statistical data among RECOFI Members; (ix) the activities undertaken to prevent, and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the RECOFI region; and (x) the Commission’s work plan and budget for the period 2009-2010. 

In the occasion of the Session, FAO will release the Arabic version of the training video “Managing bycatch and reducing discards”. 

RECOFI was established in 1999 to promote the development, conservation, rational management and best utilization of living marine resources as well as the sustainable development of aquaculture in the region. 

The documents of the meeting are posted on the following website: http://www.fao.org/fishery/nems/38602/en