The 2020 edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture has a particular focus on sustainability. This reflects a number of specific considerations. First, 2020 marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (the Code). Second, several Sustainable Development Goal indicators mature in 2020. Third, FAO hosted the International Symposium on Fisheries Sustainability in late 2019, and fourth, 2020 sees the finalization of specific FAO guidelines on sustainable aquaculture growth, and on social sustainability along value chains. While Part 1 retains the format of previous editions, the structure of the rest of the publication has been revised. Part 2 opens with a special section marking the twenty fifth anniversary of the Code. It also focuses on issues coming to the fore, in particular, those related to Sustainable Development Goal 14 and its indicators for which FAO is the “custodian” agency. In addition, Part 2 covers various aspects of fisheries and aquaculture sustainability. The topics discussed range widely, from data and information systems to ocean pollution, product legality, user rights and climate change adaptation. Part 3 now forms the final part of the publication, covering projections and emerging issues such as new technologies and aquaculture biosecurity. It concludes by outlining steps towards a new vision for capture fisheries. The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture aims to provide objective, reliable and up-to-date information to a wide audience – policymakers, managers, scientists, stakeholders and indeed everyone interested in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

The 2024 edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture features the Blue Transformation in action, illustrated by activities and initiatives, led by FAO in collaboration with Members, partners and key stakeholders, to integrate aquatic foods into global food security and sustainability, enhance policy advocacy, scientific research and capacity building, disseminate sustainable practices and technological innovations, and support community involvement. Part 1 of this edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture benefits from significant improvements in data collection, analytical and assessment tools and methodologies to present the most up-to-date review of world fisheries and aquaculture production and utilization. Part 2 highlights the role of FAO and its partners to catalyse the transformational changes required to support aquaculture expansion and intensification, effective management of global fisheries and upgrading of aquatic value chains. Part 3 covers the high-impact challenges and opportunities of the untapped potential of utilizing whole fish and by-products to improve food security and nutrition, expounds on the role of aquatic food systems in providing critical climate, biodiversity and environmentally sound solutions, and highlights the importance of their integration into national and multilateral processes. It also presents an outlook on future trends up to 2032 based on projections. The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024 provides the most up-to-date and evidence-based information, supporting policy, scientific and technical insights on challenges, opportunities and innovations shaping the present and future of the sector, for the benefit of a wide and expanding audience of policymakers, managers, scientists, fishers, farmers, traders, civil society activists and consumers.

This report presents the implementation activities and results of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Project FMM/RAS/298/MUL: Strengthening capacities, policies, and national action plans on prudent and responsible use of antimicrobials in fisheries. The objectives of this project were to develop and/or enhance the knowledge, skills and capacity of the participating Competent Authorities on fisheries and aquaculture, as well as to assist them in the development and implementation of policies and national action plans (NAPs) on the prudent and responsible use of antimicrobials. The project enhanced the capacities of national Competent Authority (technical specialists, inspection and laboratory staff) to enable productive engagement with other lead agencies (e.g. the World Health Organization [WHO], national agriculture, food safety and animal health authorities), particularly with respect to their aquaculture and fish food safety component contributions to the NAP and the integration of the aquatic sector within the One Health framework. The report also briefly summarizes the recent actions and activities taken by FAO related to AMR in aquaculture since the completion of this project, including awareness raising targeting policymakers and aquaculture stakeholders, relevant publications, candidate reference centers and other ongoing projects to date.

The first meeting of the Regional Fisheries Data and Statistics Working Group (FDS-WG) was convened in Barbados from 14-16 May 2018. The Regional FDS WG is a joint working group of the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC), the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), and Organization for Fisheries and Aquaculture of Central America (OSPESCA). The 26 participating experts, representing 16 WECAFC members, were presented with and discussed key documents meant to build the foundation of this new working group. La primera reunión del Grupo de trabajo regional sobre datos y estadísticas de pesca (GTDEP) se celebró en Barbados, del 14 al 16 de mayo de 2018. El GTDEP regional es un grupo de trabajo conjunto de la Comisión de Pesca para el Atlántico Centro-Occidental (COPACO), el Mecanismo Regional de Pesca del Caribe (CRFM) y la Organización del Sector Pesquero y Acuícola del Istmo Centroamericano (OSPESCA). Se presentaron a los 26 expertos participantes, en representación de los 16 miembros de la COPACO, y se debatieron documentos importantes para sentar las bases de este nuevo grupo de trabajo.

This document reviews the development of the aquaculture industry in the Latin America and the Caribbean region over the past decade. In 2018 aquaculture production in the region amounted to an estimated 3.1 million tonnes of aquatic products (excluding seaweeds) worth USD 17.2 billion at first sale. This food sector is vastly concentrated in a few countries with the combined output from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico representing over 85 percent of the total regional production. Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout, tilapia, whiteleg shrimp and the Chilean mussel collectively contributed 80.4 percent and 85.9 percent of the regional production by volume and value, respectively. Marine aquaculture has been the dominant production environment in the region for the past two decades, accounting for 70.1 percent of the farmed output in 2018. Production models vary widely, with a concentration of large-scale companies in Chile, while primarily small- and/or medium-size operations in Brazil, Peru and several other countries. Introduced species remain top on the list among those farmed such as tilapia and the different salmonids both of which have contributed to local livelihoods and employment. Tilapia farming has contributed significantly to food security in many countries of the region while the largest proportion of farmed salmons have been destined to the export markets. Production prospects remain promising, however the industry requires in general better governance, the adoption at all levels of appropriate technologies and best practices, and renewed efforts to guarantee environmental sustainability and social acceptance as well as competitiveness and foresight to deal with climate and market changes. The small island developing states (SIDS) face additional challenges including limited expertise, high production costs, poor seed supplies, as well as extreme and destructive weather events. The report discusses issues that require wider regional attention for the aquaculture sector to grow. Key recommendations focus on governance-related improvements highlighting the need for solid sectoral development plans, support policies, and effective rules and regulations. The promotion of a stronger cooperation among the countries in the region as well as further afield on technical matters, species diversification and equal support to smalland large-scale farming operation are identified as key elements to foster investment and help the region gain a solid position among world aquatic food producers.

The PMP/AB refers to a pathway aimed at enhancing aquaculture biosecurity by building on existing frameworks, capacity and appropriate tools using risk-based approaches and public-private sector partnerships. It is expected to result in sustainable (i) reduction in burden of diseases; (ii) improvement of aquatic health and welfare at farm, national and regional levels; (iii) minimization of global spread of diseases; (iv) optimization of socio-economic benefits from aquaculture; (v) attraction of investment opportunities into aquaculture; and (vi) achievement of One Health goals. In the context of the PMP/AB, biosecurity refers to the cost-effective management of risks posed by pathogens to aquaculture through a strategic approach at the enterprise, local-sector, national and international levels with shared public-private responsibilities. This guidance document for PMP/AB application contains the rationale, vision, mission, scope, goals and benefits of the PMP/AB. The four stages of the PMP/AB are described in detail, including the overall objectives and key outcomes to complete each stage. It also presents a general stepwise process and recommended activities for completing the different stages. The PMP/AB checklist is divided into four broad categories, namely: Sectors and Stakeholders; Aquatic Health Services; Surveillance, Monitoring and Diagnostics; and Management and Evaluation.

This document presents the adopted report of the tenth session of the Sub-Committee on Aquaculture of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI), held in Trondheim, Norway from 23 to 27 August 2019. The Sub-Committee provides a forum for consultation and discussion on aquaculture-relevant topics, advises COFI on related technical and policy matters, and provides guidance for the future work. Le présent document est le rapport de la dixième session du Sous-Comité de l’aquaculture du Comité des pêches de la FAO, qui s’est tenue à Trondheim (Norvège) du 23 au 27 août 2019. Le Sous-Comité offre un espace de consultation et de débat sur l’aquaculture et conseille le Comité des pêches sur les questions techniques et politiques liées à ce secteur, ainsi que sur les activités futures dans ce domaine. En este documento se presenta el informe aprobado por el Subcomité de Acuicultura del Comité de Pesca (COFI) de la FAO en su 10.ª reunión, celebrada en Trondheim (Noruega) del 23 al 27 de agosto de 2019. El Subcomité ofrece un foro para mantener consultas y debates sobre temas pertinentes para la acuicultura, asesora al COFI sobre asuntos técnicos y de políticas relacionados con la acuicultura y proporciona orientación sobre los trabajos futuros.