FAO activities related to aquatic genetic resources
This page provides short summaries of FAO’s recent and current activities related to the conservation, sustainable use and development of aquatic genetic resources for food and agriculture (AqGR).
The State of the World’s Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
In 2007 the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (the Commission) requested FAO to prepare the first ever global assessment on The State of the World's Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (SoW-AqGR). The scope of the assessment is farmed aquatic species and their wild relatives within national jurisdiction. Following expert and regional consultation a comprehensive questionnaire was developed and distributed to countries. The assessment is based on the 92 country reports received which were analysed in the context of published literature, five commissioned thematic background studies and input from regional organisations The development of the SoW-AqGR was guided by the Commission and its Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Aquatic Genetic Resources, the Committee on Fisheries Advisory Working Group on Aquatic Genetic Resources and Technologies, and expert reviewers.
A Framework of minimum requirements for effective management of aquatic genetic resources
The Framework provides guidance to Member Nations on a set of essential requirements that would need to be created or better developed to assist countries to effectively manage their AqGR. The Framework covers five essential components: information and databases; governance, policy and planning; infrastructure and equipment; capacity building and training; and enabling the private sector. The Framework was developed and validated through a number of rounds of consultation.
Working groups supporting and guiding FAO’s work on aquatic genetic resources
FAO's work on aquatic diversity is guided by the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) and its subsidiary bodies including the Sub-Committee on Aquaculture and the Advisory Working Group on Aquatic Genetic Resources and Technologies (COFI-AWG) and the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and it's Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Aquatic Genetic Resources (ITWG-AqGR).
Towards a Global Plan of Action for Aquatic Genetic Resources
At its 17th Regular Session, in February 2019, the Commission requested FAO to develop a Global Plan of Action for the conservation, sustainable use and development of AqGR for food and agriculture (GPA). Following consultation of the regions and with COFI and its subsidiary bodies, a draft GPA was reviewed and revised at the third session of the ITWG-AqGR, endorsed at the Eighteenth Session of the Commission in September/October 2021 and adopted by the FAO Council at its 168th Session in December 2021. The GPA, which is voluntary and non-binding and constitutes a rolling document that can be updated periodically over its ten-year time frame, provides a framework to enhance the management of AqGR with a view to ensuring that they make a significant contribution to the promotion of food security sustainable development, and the alleviation of poverty.