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 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.
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.
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.
Highlights from this edition include the importance of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations in fighting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and the FishFinder 2.0 Development Platform project, a collaborative species identification and data programme led by FAO.
This book examines the legality, adequacy and efficacy of using the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) for commercially-exploited fish species and assesses whether the existing institutional cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) is efficient. This case-study also provides an interesting lens to approaching wider international law issues. Indeed, finding ways to achieve effective governance of transboundary or global natural resources is central to the peaceful use of oceans and land. Furthermore, the role of science in advising decision-makers is a sensitive issue, which deserves scrutiny and is similar in many regimes. Finally, the complex problem of fragmentation of international law is acute in various fields of environmental law, as in all rapidly developing areas of international regulations.
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.
In Filling Regulatory Gaps in High Seas Fisheries, author Yoshinobu Takei investigates the regime of high seas fisheries from the perspective of international law and considers whether there are regulatory gaps in high seas fisheries and, if so, how they should be filled. The book focuses on topical issues such as the management of deep-sea fisheries on the high seas and the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems. In view of the current state of marine fisheries resources, together with ecosystem concerns, swift and effective action is required to improve fisheries management, in particular for high seas fisheries. Takei thoroughly analyzes the current state of affairs and convincingly suggests steps to be taken in the future.
This document contains the report of the twenty-fourth session of the Coordinating Working Party on Fishery Statistics (CWP) held in Rome, Italy, from 5 to 8 February 2013. This was the first session after the Aquaculture and Fishery subject Groups were formally established. Two subject Groups had their own meetings to review the progress made and develop work plan for the next intersessional period prior to the main session. The main session received the report from the two Groups and approved the work plans presented. Other main topics discussed were the revision of International Statistical Standard Classifications of Fishing Gears (ISSCFG), the revision and future dissemination of the CWP Handbook, the review of status of "Rules of Procedure" and the improvement in visibility of CWP.
