Report Of The Ninth Meeting Of Regional Fishery Body Secretariats Network Rome 2 3 And 9 September 2022

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.

This catalogue aims to improve the dissemination and outreach of FAO’s knowledge products and overall publishing programme. By providing information on its key publications in every area of FAO’s work, and catering to a range of audiences, it thereby contributes to all organizational outcomes. From statistical analysis to specialized manuals to children’s books, FAO publications cater to a diverse range of audiences. This catalogue presents a selection of FAO’s main publications, produced in 2023 or earlier, ranging from its global reports and general interest publications to numerous specialized titles. In addition to the major themes of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, it also includes thematic sections on climate change, economic and social development, and food safety and nutrition.

Thirty-one regional fishery bodies (RFBs) participated in the Eighth Meeting of the Regional Fishery Body Secretariats’ Network (RSN-8). The meeting brought together RFBs with diverse mandates from all geographic regions, including FAO and non-FAO regional fishery bodies, marine and inland fishery advisory and management bodies, the UNDOALOS and other invited organizations. The meeting allowed participants to exchange views and discuss both global fisheries management and development issues in aquaculture, as these related to regional and global processes of particular relevance to RFBs. In addition, RSN-8 provided the opportunity to discuss the development and strengthening of the RSN, as well as a space for reflection on the outcomes of COFI 34 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 in which to foster cooperation, facilitate discussion and share experiences.

The Third Meeting of Regional Fishery Body Secretariats Network (RSN-3) was held in Rome, Italy, from 7 to 8 February 2011. It addressed many pressing issues relating to global and regional fisheries governance, including illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, overcapacity, the ecosystem approach to fisheries management, small-scale and inland fisheries and the outcomes of the twenty-ninth Session of FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) held in Rome during the previous week. Twenty-eight Regional Fishery Body (RFB) Secretariats were represented at the meeting with varying responsibilities over inland, coastal and marine fisheries and aquaculture, as well as four intergovernmental organizations. The meeting reached a number of conclusions regarding matters that merit the attention of RFBs, governments and FAO. The RSN also issued a Statement responding to unsubstantiated information that had been published about RFBs and elaborating the challenges and achievements of RFBs.

This publication reports on the meeting of the Regional Fishery Body Secretariats Network which reviewed the decision of the twenty-seventh session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) of relevance to regional fishery bodies (RFBs). The meeting discussed the role of regional fishery bodies (RFBs), external factors affecting fisheries management, approaches to incorporate ecosystem consideration into fisheries management by RFBs, the status of the Fisheries Resources Monitoring System (FIRMS) and other related matters.

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.

This document contains the report of the Intersessional Meeting of the Aquaculture and Fishery Subject Groups of the Coordinating Working Party on Fishery Statistics (CWP), which was held in hybrid form in London, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and online, 28–30 June 2023. The CWP provides a mechanism to coordinate the statistical programs conducted by intergovernmental organizations including regional fishery bodies with a remit for fishery statistics. The CWP Aquaculture and Fishery Subject groups conducted a joint meeting to review the progress made during the intersessional period. The Session reviewed this work and agreed actions and revised workplans for the CWP ad hoc task groups.

This report presents the outcomes and recommendations of Regional Commission for Fisheries (RECOFI) Working Group on Aquaculture (WGA) at its ninth meeting. RECOFI is an Article XIV Body of the FAO Constitution, and the WGA is tasked with supporting the programme of work related to aquaculture. The outcomes contained in this report were recommended to RECOFI for endorsement and are a matter of record for the Commission. RECOFI's mandate, and specifically those of the WGFM contribute to serving FAO's better production, specifically BP2: Blue Transformation. Notably, the meeting endorsed a programme of work on aquaculture for RECOFI.