This report summarises the findings and recommendations of the regional technical consultation of APFIC on “promoting blue growth in fisheries and aquaculture in the Asia pacific”. This contributes to the organizational output (20301) by ensuring stakeholders are supported to participate in, updating existing and developing new international (including regional) instruments and mechanisms under the auspices of FAO. This is the final report of the Sixth Asia Pacific Fisheries Commission (APFIC) Regional Consultative Forum Meeting (RCFM) convened in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 8-10 February 2016 under the theme “Promoting Blue Growth in fisheries and aquaculture in the Asia-Pacific region”. The “Blue Sectors” of fisheries and aquaculture make a significant contribution to food and nutrition security and the livelihoods of millions in the Asia Pacific Region. The meeting heard how these sectors face a range of challenges and how Blue Growth Initiatives can support member countries to address them. The meeting was successful at providing member countries, partners and regional organizations a platform to present progress, discuss key issues and make recommendations to FAO.

This is the report of the Seventh Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission (APFIC) Regional Consultative Forum Meeting (RCFM) on Sustainable Development for Resilient Blue Growth of Fisheries and Aquaculture. The meeting was convened in Cebu, Philippines from 7 May to 9 May 2018 and was attended by 80 participants from 16 countries, together with representatives from ten regional and international partner organizations and projects. The key conclusions and recommendations endorsed by the Seventh RCFM are summarized as: (1) The RCFM recognized the great advances in the four thematic areas pertaining to sustainable and resilient fisheries and aquaculture for blue growth in the region; (2) There are a number of remaining and emerging challenges to the sustainability and resilience of fisheries and aquaculture sector; (3) There remains a great need in many countries for reinforced legal frameworks and guiding policies to ensure a human rights-based and environmentally friendly development of the region’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors in line with the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines) and the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF); and (4) More targeted disaster risk management and climate change strategies and technologies for the sector are needed in several countries. The RCFM considered the reviews of regional fisheries and aquaculture, presentations by member countries and regional organizations, reports of action plans of APFIC regional consultative workshops and the major issues outlined in the agenda and developed a report and recommendations to inform the Thirty-fifth APFIC Session.

This document presents the final report of the Seventy-sixth Session of the Executive Committee of the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission (APFIC) that was held in Manila, Philippines, from 21 to 23 February 2017.

The conservation, sustainable use and development of aquatic genetic resources (AqGR) is critical to the future supply of fish. The State of the World’s Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture is the first ever global assessment of these resources, with the scope of this first Report being limited to cultured AqGR and their wild relatives, within national jurisdiction. The Report draws on 92 reports from FAO member countries and five specially commissioned thematic background studies. The reporting countries are responsible for 96 percent of global aquaculture production. The Report sets the context with a review of the state of world’s aquaculture and fisheries and includes overviews of the uses and exchanges of AqGR, the drivers and trends impacting AqGR and the extent of ex situ and in situ conservation efforts. The Report also investigates the roles of stakeholders in AqGR and the levels of activity in research, education, training and extension, and reviews national policies and the levels of regional and international cooperation on AqGR. Finally, needs and challenges are assessed in the context of the findings from the data collected from the countries. The Report represents a snapshot of the present status of AqGR and forms a valuable technical reference document, particularly where it presents standardized key terminology and concepts.

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.