Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources

Oceans, seas and coastal areas provide the world with numerous goods fundamental to human well-being and global food security.

Fisheries and aquaculture offer ample opportunities to reduce hunger and improve nutrition, alleviate poverty, generate economic growth and ensure better use of natural resources. Aquaculture is the fastest-growing food sector and has the potential to produce the fish needed to help meet the demands of a growing population.

However, overfishing threatens livelihoods, unmanaged aquaculture expansion can cause pollution and rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere contribute to ocean acidification.

FAO initiatives focus on promoting good governance, participatory decision-making processes and best practices in fisheries. FAO's Blue Growth Initiative aims at harmonising the environmental, social and economic aspects of living aquatic resources to ensure equitable benefits for communities.