FishCode

The FAO Programme of Global Partnerships for Implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries

The Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries was unanimously adopted by member countries of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on 31 October 1995, against a background of profound concern within the international fisheries community for serious and growing threats affecting aquatic ecosystem diversity and Together with Technical Guidelines¹ for implementation and the international fisheries instruments² developed and adopted within its framework, the Code contains a broad set of voluntary principles and methods for developing and managing fisheries and aquaculture worldwide. The Code and its related instruments have been widely recognized by governments and civil society organizations as the global standard for setting out the aims of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture over coming decades and as a basis for reviewing and revising national fisheries legislation. They also define the normative basis for the work of the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department.In their Resolution adopting the Code, FAO member countries requested the Organization to respond to the special requirements of developing countries through an Interregional Assistance Programme for its implementation. FishCode was thus established by FI as a special programme of global partnerships to promote responsible fisheries. It now serves as a principal means through which the Department seeks to combine its regular budget with Trust Fund resources in support of activities to facilitate Code implementation. Donor partner contributions to the multilateral FishCode Trust, and to individual project trust funds under the FishCode umbrella, support an array of component activities, all of which address issues and problem areas related to the transition to responsible fisheries and aquaculture at global, regional, national and local levels.FishCode Programme activities include, among others, technical assistance, training and human-capacity development, workshops, and field research, surveys and studies. Projects are currently being carried out in a wide range of activity areas: 

• training and awareness for responsible fisheries and aquaculture;
• implementation of the International Plans of Actions;
• advisory assistance on fisheries policy, planning and management, and improved legal and institutional arrangements;
• provision of scientific advice for fisheries management;
• upgrading of capabilities in fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance;
• implementation of the FAO Strategy for improving information on status and trends in capture fisheries;
• initiatives in the ecosystem approach to fisheries and integrated coastal zone management;
• responsible fisheries for Small Island Developing States (SIDS);
• promotion of responsible fishing operations and safety-at-sea;
• implementation of responsible post-harvest practices and trade;
• responsible management and development of aquaculture and inland fisheries;
• support for fisheries research; and, 
• umbrella support to non-governmental organizations.

Interested donors are invited to become FishCode Programme partners through general contributions to the FishCode Trust or through support to specific projects operating under the Programme umbrella. Partnerships are encouraged with both public- and private-sector donors and entities, including:

• governments and bilateral aid agencies;
• multilateral and intergovernmental institutions;
• international conventions;
• non-governmental organizations;
• foundations and funds; and
• corporations and fishing industry organizations.