Regional Fisheries Bodies And Their Role In Improving Safety And Decent Work On Fishing Vessels

In 2021/2022, FAO studied the role of regional fishery bodies (RFBs) in promoting safety and decent work in fisheries under their mandates. Secretariats of thirty-seven regional fisheries management organizations and regional fishery advisory bodies representing inland and marine small-scale and industrial fisheries across the globe participated in a survey. The research showed that safety at sea is a priority for 51 percent of the RFBs. Thirty-five percent regard safety as important, but not a priority. Moreover, 38 percent of the RFBs surveyed consider decent working conditions a priority. Decent working conditions are important, but not a priority for almost 30 percent of the RFBs. The basic texts of RFBs provide the main legal basis for their mandate to work on safety and decent work in fisheries. Commission meetings and requests by members contribute substantially to RFB measures on these subjects. Management measures, especially for safety of observers, are often the entry point for work on safety and decent work standards by regional fisheries management organizations. The obligations of members under international fishing safety instruments also play a role. RFB secretariats support safety in fisheries through trainings and manuals (32 percent), awareness raising materials (32 percent), and recommendations and measures (24 percent). Most RFB secretariats noted that decent working conditions in fisheries have not been addressed or are not within the mandate of these organizations. Some RFBs however prioritize decent working conditions in fisheries. Since 2018, several RFBs have supported decent work and safety in fisheries through regional technical seminars organized by FAO in collaboration with the Apostleship of the Sea, International Maritime Organization and the International Labour Organization. These seminars aimed to address illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, decent work and safety in fisheries. Knowledge of international fishing safety instruments is generally limited among RFB secretariats. The technical, financial and human capacity limitations within the secretariats impede their attention to safety and decent work. Many RFB secretariats recognize that development of action plans would be beneficial to integrate safety and decent work better in the management of fishing fleets under their mandates. FAO is supporting some RFBs with their action planning processes, with assistance from the European Commission DG Mare.

The Ninth Meeting of the Regional Fishery Body Secretariats’ Network (RSN-9) brought together Secretariats of regional fishery bodies (RFBs) with diverse mandates from all geographic regions, including FAO and non-FAO regional fishery bodies, marine and inland fishery advisory and management bodies and agreements, the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and other invited organizations. RSN-9 took place immediately before and after the Thirty-fifth Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI-35), which was held from 5 to 9 September 2022. As was the case with COFI, RSN-9 met in hybrid format, in person and virtually, via videoconference, to facilitate the participation of those who could not assist personally. For the first time, the meeting was convened over three days. The meeting allowed participants to exchange views and discuss global processes of particular relevance to RFBs. In addition, RSN-9 provided the opportunity to discuss the development and strengthening of RSN, which included the adoption of the RSN terms of reference and the subsequent amendment of the RSN rules of procedure, as well as a space for reflection on the outcomes of COFI 35 and their implications for regional fishery bodies. The meeting had a high level of participation, which underlined the role of the Network as a unique forum to foster cooperation, facilitate discussion and share experiences.

The Thirty-fifth Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) was held in Rome, Italy, from 5 to 9 September 2022. This is a report of the Session reflecting the discussions which took place and containing all recommendations and decisions taken by the Committee. A synopsis of the outcome of the Session is presented in the abstract and all supplementary information is included in the appendixes.

The actual Code of conduct is also available (1996) (ISBN 9251038341).

The Thirty-fourth Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) was held in Rome, Italy, from 1 to 5 February 2021. This is a report of the Session reflecting the discussions which took place and containing all recommendations and decisions taken by the Committee. A synopsis of the outcome of the Session is presented in the abstract and all supplementary information is included in the appendixes.

This report summarises the findings and recommendations of the regional technical consultation of APFIC on “promoting blue growth in fisheries and aquaculture in the Asia pacific”. This contributes to the organizational output (20301) by ensuring stakeholders are supported to participate in, updating existing and developing new international (including regional) instruments and mechanisms under the auspices of FAO. This is the final report of the Sixth Asia Pacific Fisheries Commission (APFIC) Regional Consultative Forum Meeting (RCFM) convened in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 8-10 February 2016 under the theme “Promoting Blue Growth in fisheries and aquaculture in the Asia-Pacific region”. The “Blue Sectors” of fisheries and aquaculture make a significant contribution to food and nutrition security and the livelihoods of millions in the Asia Pacific Region. The meeting heard how these sectors face a range of challenges and how Blue Growth Initiatives can support member countries to address them. The meeting was successful at providing member countries, partners and regional organizations a platform to present progress, discuss key issues and make recommendations to FAO.

This issue of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture aims to provide objective, reliable and up-to- ate data and information to a wide range of readers – policy-makers, managers, scientists, stakeholders and indeed all those interested in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. As always, the scope is global and the topics many and varied. This edition uses the latest official statistics on fisheries and aquaculture to present a global analysis of trends in fish stocks, production, processing, utilization, trade and consumption. It also reports on the status of the world’s fishing fleets and analyses the make-up of human engagement in the sector. Twenty years on from the introduction of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Conduct, and now with the recently adopted Sustainable Development Goals, 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Paris Agreement, and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines, the focus on governance and policy has never been greater. This edition covers recent developments as they relate to fisheries and aquaculture, and reports, inter alia, on the Common Oceans ABNJ Program, FAO’s Blue Growth Initiative and efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. It also discusses issues such as valuing inland fisheries, cutting bycatch and promoting decent work. Other topics highlighted include: nutrition; aquatic invasive alien species; responsible inland fisheries; resilience in fisheries and aquaculture; and governance of tenure and user rights.