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-4 February 2011, bringing together over 640 participants representing COFI member States, UN agencies and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

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 fifth session of the COFI Sub-Committee on Aquaculture; progress made with regard to measures against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) 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 fifth 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. [IISD RS Coverage of COFI 29] [COFI 29 Website]