Fisheries and aquaculture have the capacity – if supported and developed in a regulated and environmentally sensitive manner – to contribute significantly to improving the well-being of poor and disadvantaged communities in developing countries and to achievement of several of the Millennium Development Goals, especially those related to poverty reduction and food and nutrition security, environmental protection and biodiversity.

Activities reflect the main FAO mandate of managing knowledge and information, assuring a global neutral forum for Members and providing technical assistance. They also relate to the Division's overall goals and mission, specifically the management and conservation of aquatic resources; utilization, marketing and trade of fishery products; and development of fisheries policies. Each activity contains a brief introduction with links to available background and related information; some also have Web sites for specific programmes or projects.