This document contains the report of the fourth meeting of the Part 6 Working Group established by the Parties to the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (hereinafter referred to as the Agreement or the PSMA), held in Rome, Italy, on 4 April 2023. The Part 6 Working Group discussed the requirements of developing States in the implementation of the PSMA, and made concrete recommendations on priority areas for technical assistance and capacity development. The Part 6 Working Group also discussed the status of implementation of the Terms of Reference for the Funding Mechanisms under Part 6 of the PSMA, and noted the need to increase funding to assist developing States in the implementation of the Agreement through, among others: (i) earmarked contributions to FAO for specific project(s) and programme(s); (ii) contributions to the multilateral partner PSMA Part 6 Trust Fund administered by FAO.

This document contains the report of the first meeting of the Strategy ad hoc Working Group (SWG) established by the Parties to the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (hereinafter referred to as the Agreement or the PSMA), held at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy, from 3 to 7 April 2023. It was attended by 55 Parties to the Agreement, and by observers from 23 States, 11 intergovernmental, 5 international non-governmental organizations and one specialized agency from the United Nations (UN). In line with its Terms of Reference adopted by the Parties, the SWG discussed aspects to improve the effectiveness of the PSMA, namely in relation to increasing adherence to the Agreement, the fulfilment of Parties’ responsibilities, mechanisms for the monitoring, review and assessment of the implementation of the Agreement, as well as resources required for the sustainable functioning of the Agreement. On the basis of the discussions and on the consolidated recommendations emanating from the four PSMA regional coordination meetings convened in 2022, the SWG developed a draft Strategy to Improve the Effectiveness of the PSMA and agreed to put it forward for consideration at the Fourth Meeting of Parties (MoP4).

A Catch Documentation Scheme helps determine whether fish originate from catches that comply with applicable national, regional and international conservation and management measures. These Guidelines were elaborated in response to concerns expressed over the continued threat to marine habitats represented by illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, and the negative impact it has on food security, particularly in developing regions.

Aquaculture is developing, expanding and intensifying in almost all regions of the world, except in sub-Saharan Africa. Although the sector appears to be capable of meeting the gap between future demand and supply for aquatic food, there are many constraints and challenges which must be addressed in order to at least maintain the present level of per capita consumption at the global level. Key issues are the need for enhanced enforcement of regulation and better governance of the sector, as well as greater producer participation in the decision-making and regulation process. This publication examines past trends in aquaculture development as well as the current global status, drawing on a number of national and regional reviews.

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 Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) represent the first ever international instrument dedicated to small-scale fisheries. They represent a global consensus on principles and guidance for small-scale fisheries governance and development. They were developed for small-scale fisheries in close collaboration with representatives of small-scale fisheries organizations in a participatory process between 2011-13, involving over 4000 stakeholders; facilitated by FAO, based on a mandate by COFI. They are directed at all those involved in the sector and intend to guide and encourage governments, fishing communities and other stakeholders to work together and ensure secure and sustainable small-scale fisheries for the benefit of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities as well as for society at large.