FAO and CAFS to strengthen sustainability of aquaculture and fisheries

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS) have agreed to strengthen cooperation and build the capacity and sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture in developing countries.

“In fisheries and aquaculture, China is the biggest in almost everything,” said Árni M. Mathiesen, FAO’s Assistant Director-General for Fisheries and Aquaculture. “Therefore, it really goes without saying that cooperation with CAFS is a great asset for FAO.”

Fisheries and aquaculture are said to have the capacity – if supported and developed in a regulated and environmentally sensitive manner – to contribute significantly to improving the lives and livelihoods of communities in developing countries and help them achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Under the accord, FAO and CAFS will facilitate joint seminars and workshops, information exchange and technology transfers. The partners aim to support initiatives to promote climate impact mitigation and adaption and help build the resilience of fishers and others working in the sector, while strengthening efforts to increase the regulation and safety of fish products for regional and global trade.

The South-South Cooperation (SSC), together with Triangular Cooperation, which involves third countries and other partners, is said to break the traditional dichotomy between donors and recipients and has reportedly created jobs, supported infrastructure and promoted trade.

Through this cooperation, FAO has fielded more than 2,000 experts and technicians to over 80 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, North Africa and elsewhere over the past 20 years.

Since FAO and China established the SSC Programme in 2009, experts from China are said to have shared their knowledge and technologies with farmers in Africa and Asia to raise agricultural productivity and sustainability in areas such as cereal production, animal husbandry, fisheries and aquaculture.