This publication, developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with the active support of the World Customs Organization (WCO), builds on the Harmonized System: Nomenclature 2022 edition. It presents all possible classifications for fisheries and aquaculture products by species, with a full description of each HS code, to facilitate its use within the fisheries sector, including aquaculture. This publication does not modify the structure of the HS or modify species grouping, as it is an auxiliary tool to facilitate classification and enhance understanding of the HS system from the angle of fisheries and aquaculture products. This publication is divided into three sections: (1) the first section presents all species which are directly referenced in the HS, with commodity codes for all possible classifications of their products and treatments; (2) the second section lists all HS codes for fisheries and aquaculture products with an exhaustive and comprehensive description of each code; and (3) the third section is a new section of the HS Handbook, where photos of the most commercially important species are shown. Each image contains relevant information and singularities of each species – scientific name, FAO names, main characteristics, and distribution.

The classification of products is a key element in international trade. The Harmonized System (HS) of the World Customs Organization (WCO) provides an internationally recognised system of product classification. It is used for many purposes, including import duties, rules of origin, freight documents and statistics. Fish is often one of the most complex commodities to classify, with several specificities. There is a multiplicity of phyla, species, and treatments, which create an intricate set of different layers covering different products and and make it especially difficult to classify fish and fish products. This publication, developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with the active support of the World Customs Organization (WCO), builds on the Harmonized System 2017 Edition. It presents all possible classifications for fish and fish products by species with a full description of each HS code, to facilitate its use within the fisheries sector.

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.

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.

The 2018 edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture emphasizes the sector’s role in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, and measurement of progress towards these goals. It notes the particular contributions of inland and small-scale fisheries, and highlights the importance of rights-based governance for equitable and inclusive development. As in past editions, the publication begins with a global analysis of trends in fisheries and aquaculture production, stocks, processing and use, trade and consumption, based on the latest official statistics, along with a review of the status of the world’s fishing fleets and human engagement and governance in the sector. Topics explored in Parts 2 to 4 include aquatic biodiversity; the ecosystem approach to fisheries and to aquaculture; climate change impacts and responses; the sector’s contribution to food security and human nutrition; and issues related to international trade, consumer protection and sustainable value chains. Global developments in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, selected ocean pollution concerns and FAO’s efforts to improve capture fishery data are also discussed. The issue concludes with the outlook for the sector, including projections to 2030. As always, The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture aims to provide objective, reliable and up-to- date information to a wide audience, including policy-makers, managers, scientists, stakeholders and indeed all those interested in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

Published quarterly since 1987, the GLOBEFISH Highlights is a globally recognized point of reference for information and analysis on international markets for fisheries and aquaculture products. The publication contains a detailed quarterly update on market trends for a variety of major commodities. Combining the price information collected for the European Price Report with other market survey data collected by FAO GLOBEFISH, the report provides a detailed update on market trends for a variety of major commodities. Key market data is presented in a time series tabular or graphical form with a written analysis of trends and key events and news affecting commodities such as tuna, groundfish, small pelagics, shrimp, salmon, fishmeal and fish oil, cephalopods, bivalves and crustacea. Established in 1984, the FAO GLOBEFISH project has been providing governments, and national and international stakeholders with relevant data, information and knowledge on fish trade in order to assist them in designing and implementing efficient and inclusive market and trade strategies. These strategies contribute to the sustainable development of the fish trade sector (including the economic, social and environmental aspects) and, at the same time, contribute to improving food and nutrition security and strengthening livelihood opportunities and are directly linked to Strategic Objective 4.

The 2022 edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture coincides with the launch of the Decade of Action to deliver the Global Goals, the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. It presents how these and other equally important United Nations events, such as the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA 2022), are being integrated and supported through Blue Transformation, a priority area of FAO’s new Strategic Framework 2022–2031 designed to accelerate achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in food and agriculture. The concept of Blue Transformation emerged from the Thirty-fourth Session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries in February 2021, and in particular the Declaration for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, which was negotiated and endorsed by all FAO Members. The Declaration calls for support for “an evolving and positive vision for fisheries and aquaculture in the twenty first century, where the sector is fully recognized for its contribution to fighting poverty, hunger and malnutrition.” In this context, Part 1 of this edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture reviews the world status of fisheries and aquaculture, while Parts 2 and 3 are devoted to Blue Transformation and its pillars on intensifying and expanding aquaculture, improving fisheries management and innovating fisheries and aquaculture value chains. Blue Transformation emphasizes the need for forward-looking and bold actions to be launched or accelerated in coming years to achieve the objectives of the Declaration and in support of the 2030 Agenda. Part 4 covers current and high-impact emerging issues – COVID-19, climate change and gender equality – that require thorough consideration for transformative steps and preparedness to secure sustainable, efficient and equitable fisheries and aquaculture, and finally draws some outlook on future trends based on projections. 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.

This overview of globalisation in fisheries and aquaculture finds that global markets for fish and fish products have changed considerably over the past few decades and continue to do so, but that countries must work harder on fisheries and aquaculture management to remain sustainable.

The FAO Yearbook of Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics, prepared by the Statistics Team of the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, offers a synthesis of the major trends in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. Statistics are presented in eight main thematic chapters, covering statistics of production (total, aquaculture, capture fisheries), employment, fleet, consumption and trade, together with a section with selected tables and an Annex including notes, concepts, classifications and a map of FAO major fishing areas. The Yearbook is meant to constitute a primary tool for policymakers, researchers and analysts, as well as for the general public interested in the past and current paths of the sector.