The 3rd Session of the Regional Commission for Fisheries will be held from 9 to 11 may 2005 at Doha Sheraton Hotel in Qatar. The main objectives of the Commission are (i) to promote the development, conservation, rational management and best utilization of living marine resources and (ii) the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Area. 

Participation of Representatives of all RECOFI countries (Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates) has already been confirmed. Observers from UNEP, World Fish Centre and some other regional and sub-regional fisheries and marine environment organizations are also expected to attend the meeting.
The main objectives of the session are to: 

1- Evaluate the progress in the intersessional activities, identify the constraints encountered and provide guidance for the planning and implementation of its Programme of Work to minimize constraints in the future. 

2- Discuss appropriate measures to streamline reporting of fisheries statistics in member countries. 

3- Review the status of Aquaculture in the RECOFI Area Countries and comment on the progress made in each of the member countries since the Second Session. 

4- Review the programme of work and budget of the Commission and make recommendations on the priorities which would be taken into account in the finalisation of proposals for the Programme of Work in particular with the view of promoting the Implementation of the CCRF and its related International Plans of Action . 

A press conference will be organized before the meeting on Saturday May 7, 2005 in the premises of the Ministry of Municipalities and Agriculture in Doha.