18-21 November 2019,

Rome, Italy.

Marine and inland fisheries today are at an important crossroads. They make a crucial and growing contribution to food, nutrition and livelihood security. Yet, despite significant successes, there is a decreasing overall trend in the proportion of marine fish stocks caught within biologically sustainable levels, especially in the least developed regions. At the same time, inland fisheries are profoundly affected by the growing demand for fresh water fish.

In the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, this symposium aims to clarify:

1. What is the status of global and regional fisheries sustainability?
2. What are the challenges to improve the sustainability of fish resources?
3. What constitutes evidence, and how do we ensure an evidence basis for decision making? and,
4. What does society expect from marine and inland fisheries in the 21st century?

The objective of this Symposium it to identify pathways to strengthen the science and policy interplay in fisheries production, management and trade, based on solid sustainability principles for improved global outcomes on the ground. Ultimately, the debates and conclusions of the symposium will prepare the way for the development of a new vision for the way we perceive and use capture fisheries, outlining how the sector can respond to the complex and rapidly changing challenges facing society.

Expected outcomes

• Develop and articulate a new vision for fisheries’ sustainability in the 21st century
• Promote strategies for synergistic actions and supportive policies, at all levels, to promote sustainable fisheries while meeting international commitments
• Reinforce commitments to the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and its associated instruments, leading to new FAO partnerships
• Assist countries at COFI 34 as they debate and consider a new COFI Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? This Symposium will be technical in nature and relevant to:

• Leaders and practitioners of technical organizations, both state and non-state;
• Members of the Research and Academic communities, both from the natural and the social sciences;
• Fisheries, conservation and sustainability experts from the fisheries and other connected sectors;
• Business and Private sector representatives;
• Representatives from Government,Non-governmental and Inter-governmental organizations;
• Global, regional national and local organizations, including indigenous groups,
• Other interested parties.

The symposium is free and open to all, but subject to an application process to ensure we do not exceed the size of the venue (500 delegates), while safeguarding diversity and complementarity from all the constituencies listed above.

For more information go to the Symposium website (http://www.fao.org/about/meetings/sustainable-fisheries-symposium/en/