UN forum spotlights need to properly manage fish genetic resources

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today called for better policies to conserve fish genetic resources and enhance global food security, warning of the adverse environmental and social impacts of failing to do so.

“A lack of coherent management of the world’s fish genetic resources is becoming a serious problem,” the agency warned in Rome, at the start of the week-long meeting of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture – the only global body dealing with all genetic resources in agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

This year’s session marks the first time the Commission, comprised of 167 countries and the European Union (EU), has tackled the issue of how best to manage the genetic diversity of the planet’s oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, wetlands and fish farms to safeguard their contributions to food production.

The rapid expansion of aquaculture – the cultivation of aquatic plants and animals – and the over-exploitation of many fisheries have created conditions where “irresponsible” use of natural resources can result in adverse environmental and social impacts, conflicts and unsustainability, according to a paper by FAO’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Department.

The paper argues that a successful transition to more responsible, sustainable and productive aquaculture and fisheries will depend largely on effective management of fish genetic resources.

According to FAO, most of the world’s fisheries are already at least fully exploited or in decline and their production levels have reached a plateau. By 2030, an additional 40 million tons of fish per year will be needed to meet global demand. Aquaculture, which provides 44 per cent of all fish eaten, is a logical and practical way to fill this need.