13 October 2015
Responsible Fisheries Code Celebrates 20 Years
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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN's (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries marked its 20-year anniversary at the first International Fisheries Stakeholders Forum.

The Code sets principles and international standards of behavior for responsible fishing practices with the aim of ensuring the conservation, management and development of living aquatic resources.

Red Mullet on display with the FAO Fishing Zone indicated on the label (photo courtesy of FAO)8 October 2015: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN’s (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries marked its 20-year anniversary at the first International Fisheries Stakeholders Forum. The Code sets principles and international standards of behavior for responsible fishing practices with the aim of ensuring the conservation, management and development of living aquatic resources.

“The Code of Conduct has been an unmitigated success because it captures both the essence of nature conservation and the need for developing countries to grow and prosper,” said Arni Mathiesen, FAO. He pointed out that many of the fish stocks that are unsustainable today became that way before the Code was adopted in 1995. He called on the international community to achieve the Code’s objectives and rebuild fish stocks. FAO Director General Jose Graziano da Silva highlighted the Code of Conduct as the basis for blue growth strategies that have the potential to improve livelihoods through the sustainable use of aquatic resources.

The Code of Conduct is a voluntary instrument that promotes universal standards to guide governments and the private sector in conserving and managing the world’s oceans, lakes and rivers. The Code addresses a range of topics on responsible fisheries, including handling, labeling and trade; illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; the livelihoods of small-scale fishers and aquaculture producers; and sustainable aquaculture.

The two-day Forum is convening in Vigo, Spain. [FAO Press Release] [Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries Website]


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