This document provides a summary of the presentations, discussions, conclusions and recommendations of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Expert Workshop on the Development of the Aquaculture Co-management Guidebook held in Manila, the Philippines from 9 to 11 October 2023. [Author] The workshop was prepared and coordinated by the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division with the support of the FAO representation in the Philippines. [Author] The main objectives of the workshop were to (i) enhance understanding of aquaculture co-management; (ii) identify key aquaculture co-management best practices, models and case studies; and (iii) undertake a thorough review and validation of the background document Guidebook for developing aquaculture co-management systems. [Author] During the workshop, participants were presented with the proposed content of the background document that was shared ahead of the event. [Author] They were then invited to discuss the content, validate it and provide input on a revised text. [Author] The expert input will be taken forward into the final draft of the Guidebook. [Author]

The FAO Expert Workshop on Aquaculture Co-management gathered global experience and knowledge relevant to the definition and characterization of aquaculture co-management. The main objectives of the workshop were to: elucidate the concept of aquaculture co-management in terms of definition, rationale, scope, objective and underlying principles; discuss the effective implementation of aquaculture co-management; draft a methodology and the main steps to guide a successful implementation of co-management systems in aquaculture; and reflect on future sector developments and the role of co-management in aquaculture. The workshop took place in hybrid mode from 8 to 11 June 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda. Eighteen experts attended the workshop, with eleven attending in person and seven joining online. The main topics discussed included: (i) overview of the background document on Aquaculture Co-management; (ii) presentation of the concept and application scope, requirements and characteristics of aquaculture co-management; (iii) the models and practices to guide a successful implementation of co-management system in aquaculture; (iv) future sector developments and the role of co-management; (v) the monitoring and evaluation of aquaculture co-management; and (vi) the main steps to guide a successful implementation of aquaculture co-management. During the workshop, participants were presented with a draft rationale, a definition, principles and models of aquaculture co-management as outlined in a background document which was shared ahead of the event. They were then invited to provide advice on these elements of aquaculture co-management to establish a shared understanding of the concept and define a pathway for its further development. The expert input will be used to develop a methodology, produce a guidebook to establish aquaculture co-management systems, write case studies and conduct outreach activities.

Co-management, a collaborative decision-making approach between governments and diverse user groups regarding shared resources, has evolved across natural resource settings. Traditionally applied in fisheries, forestry, and water management, co-management tackles short-term resource allocation and long-term climate adaptation challenges. Despite aquaculture's perception as a private enterprise, it relies on shared resources and ecosystem services, necessitating collaborative risk and resource management. Acknowledging this connection, aquaculture co-management is integral to enhancing aquatic food production, aligning with the FAO's Blue Transformations vision. The guidebook offers a framework for government, NGOs, and private sectors to develop aquaculture co-management, defining its characteristics, goals, and practices. It outlines a process for implementing and evaluating aquaculture co-management systems, aiming to enhance environmental, social, and economic outcomes. The publication also emphasizes the relevance of aquaculture co-management across diverse production systems, ranging from offshore marine cage culture to coastal, reservoir and riverine pond, cage and pen systems and terrestrial tank systems.

The FAO Virtual Expert Workshop on the Toolbox for Fisheries Co-management was held on 24, 26 and 28 May 2021 using the Zoom platform to finalize the outline and contents of the Toolbox for Fisheries Co-management Evaluation and to find out what tools are available for evaluating fisheries co-management effectiveness. Twenty-one participants attended the Workshop: 11 experts, 2 FAO observers and 8 FAO secretariat members. During the Workshop, the drafts of the Toolbox and the Guidebook for Evaluating Fisheries Co-management Effectiveness were presented. The experts were invited to advice on tools and reference materials to perform the evaluation process envisaged in the Guidebook. The experts’ inputs and recommendations received on best practices, indicators, examples of approaches for measuring the indicators, suggested tools and resources will be employed to improve the Toolbox and the Guidebook.

This document represents the final report of the FAO Virtual Global Expert Workshop on the Fisheries Co-management Evaluation Guidebook, held from 7 to 11 and 17 September 2020 using the Zoom platform. The objective of the workshop was to produce a new draft of the guidebook contributing to evaluating the effectiveness of fisheries co-management systems. The experts discussed on how to develop an efficient methodology to evaluate the effectiveness of fisheries co-management systems by addressing each section of the guidebook. Based on which, an updated outline of the guidebook has been developed and agreed.

This guide is a collection of concepts and practical information aimed at facilitating the establishment of allocated zones for aquaculture (AZAs) in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. It provides detailed information on the process involved in the establishment of an AZA and it is intended as a practical and comprehensive tool to better understand site selection and planning for aquaculture. This publication first provides a brief overview of the international and regional context, and reviews the institutional and legal framework related to AZAs at various levels. Sequential explanations on the AZA establishment process as well as suggestions for the main steps are then presented. The step-by-step approach for the establishment of AZAs takes into account a number of specific aspects, such as geographic information system tools, exclusion criteria and stakeholder participation, the main actors to be involved, the role of relevant authorities in charge of geographical and/or marine aquaculture planning, statutory responsibilities, prevention and resolution of possible conflicts, and decision-making. The guide also describes the objectives and contents of AZA management plans and presents the parameters to be used as reference points for the AZA implementation. It is addressed to decision-makers from relevant bodies and administrations, governmental and non-governmental organizations, scientific research institutions, aquaculture producers and fishing communities, as well as other relevant stakeholders involved in aquaculture activities, coastal development, and in the use of the aquatic environment and resources.

Co-published with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Fisheries management is the process that has evolved to try to ensure that fisheries operate in a manner that provides the immediate benefits in a sustainable manner. The widely accepted goal is that the full range of benefits should not only be available for this generation but for generations to come. Fisheries management has been successful in some cases but there have also been many, many cases of failure. This volume is intended to contribute to improving this unsatisfactory state by addressing the widespread need for information and guidance on the broad and often complex task of fisheries management. It is an updated and expanded edition of the first version of "A fishery manager's guidebook" which was published as a FAO Fisheries Technical Paper in 2002. The major part of this new edition is divided into five parts intended to cover the range of concerns, tools and techniques essential to the modern fisheries manager, whether that manager is an individual or a formal or informal group. Following the Introduction: Part I examines the primary dimensions of fisheries: biological, ecological, social and economic Part II looks at the legal and institutional characteristics of fisheries Part III explores the tools that fishery managers have to achieve the objectives expected from a fishery Part IV discusses the role of scientific information of indicators and reference points Part V moves into implementation of fisheries management and includes a chapter on special considerations in small-scale fisheries This landmark publication is aimed at fishery managers and scientists. All libraries in research establishments and universities where fisheries and aquatic sciences are studied and taught will need copies of this important volume. Fisheries around the world make essential contributions to human well-being including the provision of basic food supplies, employment, recreational opportunities, foreign currency and others, providing benefits to hundreds of millions of people. Despite these benefits, our record of managing fisheries so that the benefits can be sustained has been poor, at best, and most fisheries around the world are experiencing serious ecological, social or economic problems and usually all three. Today there is global concern about the state of fishery resources and aquatic ecosystems, their resilience to future stresses such as climate change and their ability to continue to provide benefits.