The 36th Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI36) began today at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome. This week-long event (8-12 July) gathers policymakers, experts, and partners in the fisheries and aquaculture sector to discuss the critical role these industries play in combating food insecurity, malnutrition, and poverty.
“An increasingly expanding global aquaculture sector is driving the supply of fish and fishery products to new records. In 2022, aquaculture overtook capture fisheries as the main supplier of aquatic animals. Ensuring the expansion of sustainable aquaculture is of fundamental importance for consumers,” stated FAO Director-General QU Dongyu in a video message. The recent FAO report, The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA), highlighted a new high of 223.2 million tonnes in 2022, emphasizing the need for sustainable growth in aquaculture, especially in food-deficit regions.
The COFI36 session will address various global challenges, including the role of aquatic foods in food security and nutrition, their potential in mitigating climate change, and the importance of effective management for long-term biodiversity goals. Key topics include enhancing data collection, stock assessment systems, and presenting the first results of FishMIP 2.0, a project forecasting the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems.
Additionally, the event marks the tenth anniversary of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, highlighting their significant contributions to food security and livelihoods, especially in low-income countries.
COFI36 will also review the Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture for final endorsement and discuss the FAO Guidance on Social Responsibility in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Value Chains. The session includes an interactive digital exhibit showcasing sustainable practices and innovations in the sector.
As COFI36 unfolds, it continues to provide a platform for global collaboration and policy advice, addressing pressing issues in fisheries and aquaculture, and setting priorities for future work.
Source-FAO
