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he objective of this Symposium is to identify pathways to strengthen the science and policy interplay in fisheries production, management and trade, based on solid sustainability principles for improved global outcomes on the ground. Ultimately, the debates and conclusions of the symposium will prepare the way for the development of a new vision for the way we perceive and use capture fisheries, outlining how the sector can respond to the complex and rapidly changing challenges facing society, and support the planning process of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). Also available in French and Spanish.  

In 2007, the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Commission) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) included the preparation of the report on The State of the World’s Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Report) into its Multi-Year Programme of Work. The Commission later determined that the scope of the Report be “farmed aquatic species and their wild relatives within national jurisdiction”. Following a country-driven process, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department prepared a draft Report for review by the Commission, its Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food [...]

This publication gathers the scientific and policy information and outcomes of the regional conference for wider distribution. The long abstracts were written by the invited speakers. These proceedings are intended as a useful collection of information focusing on river habitat restoration and inland fisheries of the European continent, with specific examples from the Danube river basin. It makes a significant contribution to existing knowledge of these issues. This document has been prepared by the International Organisation for the Development of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Europe (EUROFISH) for the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the FAO Regional [...]

The FAO Blue Growth Initiative seeks to balance the sustainable management of aquatic resources with economic and social benefits for local communities and Indigenous Peoples. The Blue Growth Initiative values the crucial role Indigenous Peoples play as custodians of traditional knowledge and practices and stewards of the ecosystems in which they live. Blue Growth approaches support the needs of Indigenous Peoples, ensuring their voices are heard in decision-making processes that affect them, supporting access rights to their traditional lands and territories, and encouraging the preservation of their cultural heritage through sustainable fisheries and aquaculture management that benefits future generations.

The following series of flyers highlights the work being carried out by FAO's Strategic Programmes. This flyer is specifically on "Strategic Programme 2: Making agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and more sustainable". The vision of FAO for sustainable food and agriculture, enshrined in the 2030 Agenda, requires a radical rethink of the status quo and of current agricultural policies. Farmers, pastoralists, foresters and fishers are encouraged to produce more while using less in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable way. Building more efficient and equitable agriculture and food systems and investing in rural development can accelerate achievement of goals [...]

Inland waterway management is complex and faces unique challenges as inland waterways have a variety of users. The mixture and overlap of local, regional, national and at times international regulations exacerbate the problem of managing inland waterways. In this context, the regional conference ‘River habitat restoration for inland fisheries in the Danube River basin and adjacent Black Sea areas’ was held on 13-15 November 2018 in Bucharest, Romania. This event was organised by the FAO Regional office for Europe and Central Asia in partnership with the International Organisation for the Development of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Europe (EUROFISH) and EIFAAC [...]

Smoked fish is an important animal protein source in Ghana. However, the traditional method by which the commodity is produced leads to high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH, a food safety hazard) in the commodity. This predisposes consumers to potential health challenges linked to PAH exposure in food. The extent to which that is the case in Ghana was evaluated by screening smoked fish on informal markets in the country for the hazard. Since the FAO-Thiaroye fish processing technique (FTT) has been demonstrated to address the PAH problem, it was further evaluated against traditional kilns in that respect. Consumer [...]

Protein-energy malnutrition and micro-nutrient deficiencies are important public health issues in Sri Lanka. Fish play a crucial role in nutrition and thus, promoting fish in the diet is among the strategies to control protein-energy malnutrition and micro-nutrient deficiencies. Fish are a source of proteins and healthy fats and provide a unique source of essential nutrients, including long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, iodine, vitamin D and calcium. Furthermore, fish are ideal options for maintaining good health and weight management as they are low in cholesterol and thus recommended for patients with diabetes, coronary heart diseases and hypertension over other animal proteins.  Despite their [...]

The publication is a policy brief jointly prepared by FAO, IFAD and Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) with the primary aim of raising awareness of the importance and potential of aquaculture development in Kenya for improving the country's food security and nutition status. The brief has been reviewed by a number of experts from the member country government, private sector, academic community, and international organizations (FAO and IFAD).  Key messages of the brief include: • Kenya’s food security and nutrition status has much room to improve. • Fish is a vital source of essential macro- and micronutrients that can play an [...]

This document is the report of the FAO Expert Consultation Workshop on the “Development of methodologies for the global assessment of fish stock status” held in Rome, Italy, from the 4th to the 6th of February 2019. The workshop is an FAO initiative aimed at improving its ability to understand global stock status by means of a stock assessment tool that can be used to assess currently unassessed stocks. This report summarizes the presentations and main discussions of the workshop and provides recommendations.