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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

This collection addresses the central question of how the current international framework for the regulation of fisheries may be strengthened in order to meet the challenges posed by changing fisheries and ocean conditions, in particular climate change. International fisheries law has developed significantly since the 1990s, through the adoption and establishment of international instruments and bodies at the global and regional levels. Global fish stocks nevertheless remain in a troubling state, and fisheries management authorities face a wide array of internal and external challenges, including operational constraints, providing effective management advice in the face of scientific uncertainty and non-compliance by States with their international obligations. This book examines these challenges and identifies options and pathways to strengthen international fisheries law. While it has a primarily legal focus, it also features significant contributions from specialists drawn from other disciplines, notably fisheries science, economics, policy and international relations, in order to provide a fuller context to the legal, policy and management issues raised. Rigorous and comprehensive in scope, this will be essential reading for lawyers and non-lawyers interested in international fisheries regulation in the context of profoundly changing ocean conditions.

The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) remains the cornerstone of global ocean governance. However, it lacks effective provisions or mechanisms to ensure that all ocean space and related problems are dealt with holistically. With seemingly no opportunity for revision due to the Conventions burdensome amendment provisions, complementary mechanisms dealing with such aspects of global ocean governance including maritime transport, fisheries, and marine environmental sustainability, have been developed under the aegis of the United Nations and other relevant international organizations. This approach is inherently fragmented and unable to achieve sustainable global ocean governance. In light of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 14, the IMLI Treatise proposes a new paradigm on the basis of integrated and cross-sectoral approach in order to realise a more effective and sustainable governance regime for the oceans. This volume focuses on the role of the UN Specialized Agencies towards the development of effective and sustainable ocean governance by looking at the more elaborate mechanisms they developed in order to achieve the desired objectives laid down in UNCLOS. From FAO to UNODC, the volume examines how they ensure sustainable development and how much coordination exists among them.

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 2021 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.