Activities and developments, 2000–2017

The regional dimension is key to international fisheries management policy. There are some 50 regional fisheries bodies worldwide. Most provide only advice to their members, and are hence referred to in this work as regional fisheries advisory bodies (RFABs).

Regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) have mandates to adopt legally binding conservation and management measures based on the best scientific evidence. Global instruments and normative processes have to be implemented and translated into actions at the country and regional levels, as appropriate. In this regard, regionalization of fisheries and aquaculture governance can provide opportunities not only to address common concerns, create synergies and mainstream the global objectives of relevant UN bodies, but also to broaden outreach on the global fisheries agenda to regional partners that may not be directly concerned with fisheries, as well as to the general public.

The present study provides an overview of the activities and developments of RFMOs and RFABs from 2000 to 2017. It is based on a compilation of data and information for 46 RFMOs and RFABs.

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Not business as usual in Europe's largest fishing port

On almost any given day, at four-thirty in the morning, while most people are still sleeping, Europe's biggest fishing port in Vigo, Spain is in full swing.

But these are not normal times.

Story

On 25 and 26 February FAO will host the

2020 International Forum on the Effects of Climate Change on Fisheries and Aquaculture

Climate change poses a threat to ocean and freshwater resources. Increased temperatures risk shifting the distribution of fish stocks and adversely affecting aquaculture production. These changes could have serious consequences for food security.

The ClimeFish project is organizing the 2020 International Forum on the Effects of Climate Change on Fisheries and Aquaculture, kindly hosted by FAO. ClimeFish research outputs will be showcased, as well as tools and instruments for adapting to climate change.

By fostering interaction and dialogue among scientists, policy makers and industry, FAO will host a forum for discussing the challenges that fisheries and aquaculture face today, and will face in the future. The forum will address possible solutions and remaining knowledge gaps.

Event and registration

TUESDAY	25 February
09:00-10:30	Session 1 – Fisheries and aquaculture in the face of a changing climate
11:00-12:30	Session 2 – Potential impacts of climate change on seafood production
	Webcast
14:00-15:40	Session 2 – Potential impacts of climate change on seafood production (continued)
15:40-17:45	Session 3 – Perspectives: industry, policy and science
	Webcast

 

WEDNESDAY	26 February
09:00-10:15	Session 4 – Adapting to a changing climate: adaptation plans
10:45-12:30	Session 5 – Adapting to a changing climate: decision support
	Webcast
14:00-15:30	Session 6 – The way forward
15:30-15:45	CLOSING of meeting
	Webcast

What is World Fish Migration Day?

World Fish Migration Day is a one-day global celebration to create awareness of open rivers and migratory fish. This international day of events is coordinated by the World Fish Migration Foundation. On World Fish Migration Day, organizations from around the world coordinate their own event around the common theme of: CONNECTING FISH, RIVERS AND PEOPLE.

What is a Migratory Fish?

Migratory fishes are fishes that swim short or long distances daily, yearly or annually, as a way to complete their life cycle, feed and/or make love!

Creating awareness is an essential first step to make real change. The main goal of World Fish Migration Day is to improve the public's understanding of the importance of migratory fish and how we can reduce our impact on them. The next step is to enable citizens on the world to take action on these topics. Ultimately, the aim is to create sustainable commitments from NGOs, governments and industry on safeguarding free rivers and restoring swimways or migratory fish.

Website

As part of the new FAO series “Blue Innovators”, two podcasts have just been released.

Blue innovators across the globe are coming up with novel ways to protect the ocean, harness its resources sustainably, and support the communities that depend on the ocean for food and for their livelihoods.

Blue innovators: Plastic made from fish
Meet Lucy Hughes, the inventor a bioplastic made from fish waste. The graduate student's innovation won the 2019 James Dyson Award.
Click to listen.
Producer: Charlotta Lomas

Croissance bleue & innovation: L'intelligence artificielle pour lutter contre la pêche illégale
Badr Idrissi est fondateur d'Atlan Space, une start-up qui développe de l’intelligence artificielle pour lutter contre le phénomène, souvent associé à d’autres activités illégales comme le trafic de drogue ou d’armes, le trafic humain ou encore l’esclavage.
Click to listen.
Producer: Anais Hotin