The VME DataBase is currently up-to-date. Information on VMEs can be viewed by year (2006-2015) or by region (or regional body). The VME DataBase is a mapping interface supported by factsheets that are entered through pop-ups. This is a superb source of information on VMEs and shows the tremendous efforts that have been made over the past 10 years to make fisheries more sustainable by safeguarding critical benthic habitats and thus maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Today sees the launch of a new website for vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs). It is the fruit of collaboration between FAO, regional fisheries management organizations or arrangements (RFMO/As), other multi-lateral bodies, and individuals from national fisheries departments.

The VME website, including a Portal and the VME DataBase, gives users prompt access to information on measures taken by RFMO/As to protect VMEs in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ).

Press release

GFCM/FAO, on the occasion of its thirty-ninth annual session, hosted representatives of 25 countries of the Mediterranean basin and the Black Sea, Japan, the European Union as well as intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, to strengthen their cooperation and agree upon important measures for the management and conservation of fisheries resources in both the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

GFCM press release

Le 1er juin, les députés européens, la Commission ainsi que les représentants des gouvernements nationaux ont approuvé de manière informelle une proposition concernant la santé animale. Celle-ci vise à rationaliser et à simplifier les règles existantes, et concerne des maladies telles que la fièvre aphteuse ou la grippe aviaire. Le négociateur en chef du Parlement, la députée libérale suédoise Marit Paulsen, a déclaré que l'objectif de cette proposition est de « prévenir plutôt que de guérir ».
Commission de l'agriculture et du développement rural

Source : © Union européenne, 2015 - PE

Congratulations to Matthias Halwart, Senior Aquaculture Officer, on having been presented with the Gold Medal Award of the Asian Fisheries Society for his work in non-formal education activities for fisheries and aquaculture in the Asia-Pacific region. Non-formal education and South-South cooperation is extremely important for the development of aquaculture in the region. Full story

FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific - Photo stories