Rapport de la neuvième session du Sous-Comité de l’aquaculture. Rome (Italie), 24-27 octobre 2017

The ninth session of the Sub-Committee on Aquaculture (SCA) of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) was held in Rome, Italy from 24 to 27 October 2017. It was attended by eighty-nine Members of FAO, by two associate Members, by representatives from two specialized agencies of the United Nations and by observers from seven intergovernmental and six international non-governmental organizations. The Sub-Committee underlined the important contribution of aquaculture to food security and nutrition as well as the importance of market access and post-harvest issues, and emphasized the need to support small-scale producers. The Sub-Committee recognized the growing global significance of sustainable aquaculture development and its potential contributions to both global food security and nutrition, as well as to the achievement of a wide range of SDG targets, while recognizing that there is a growing need for implementation of best practices in aquaculture in many countries and regions. The Sub-Committee recommended that FAO should develop global guidelines for sustainable aquaculture development. The Sub-Committee endorsed FAO’s Common Vision for Sustainable Food and Agriculture as a useful framework for implementing the 2030 Agenda. It also endorsed the FAO Blue Growth Initiative, as part of FAO’s Common Vision and its five principles, and stressed its relevance in supporting Members to reach their SDGs. The Sub-Committee welcomed the forthcoming report on the State of the World’s Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The Sub-Committee recognized the importance of extension for sustainable aquaculture development, and requested that FAO provide guidance and facilitate experience-sharing among Members. The Sub-Committee highlighted the importance of regional coordination within and among Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Furthermore, the Sub-Committee recommended that FAO should play a role in facilitating the exchange of experiences on aquaculture development in SIDS and in supporting possible regional approaches, building upon existing and emerging networks. The Sub-Committee recommended that FAO continue its work in aquaculture development in SIDS and provide support through capacity development and technical assistance. With regard to FAO’s ongoing and planned activities related to the FAO Technical Guidelines on Aquaculture Certification, the Sub-Committee welcomed the work of FAO, noting the increasing role of certification in national and international markets, and highlighting the need to strengthen the capacity of small-scale producers to attain certification and eventually improve market access. The Sub-Committee welcomed the kind invitation of the Kingdom of Norway to host its tenth session.