A report from IISD
SUMMARY OF THE 29TH SESSION OF THE FAO COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES
31 JANUARY – 4 FEBRUARY 2011
The 29th session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) of the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), took place at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, from 31 January to 4 February 2011. Over 640 participants attended from COFI member states, UN agencies and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. The Committee convened in plenary throughout the week to address progress in the implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, the decisions and recommendations of the 12th session of the COFI Sub-Committee on Fish Trade and the 5th session of the COFI Sub-Committee on Aquaculture, progress made with regard to measures against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, fisheries and aquaculture in our changing climate, the improved integration of fisheries and aquaculture development and management, biodiversity conservation and environmental protection, good practices in the governance of small-scale fisheries, and priorities and results under the medium-term plan and programme of work and budget for 2012-13.
COFI 29 adopted a final report, in which it, inter alia: endorsed the reports the 12th session of the COFI Sub-Committee on Fish Trade and the 5th session of the COFI Sub-Committee on Aquaculture; adopted Guidelines for the Ecolabelling of Fish and Fishery Products from Inland Capture Fisheries; approved Guidelines on Aquaculture Certification; endorsed Guidelines on Bycatch Management and the Reduction of Discards; and approved the development of new guidelines on small-scale fisheries.