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You Are Here: Home > APEC Groups > SOM Steering Committee on Economic and Technical Cooperation > Working Groups > Fisheries Working Group
 
 
Fisheries Working Group  

The fisheries industries in APEC economies accounts for over 75 percent of the world's capture fisheries and over 90 percent of global aquaculture production. APEC economies are an important voice internationally on fishery-related issues and collectively have a significant impact on global sustainability of fisheries and responsible practices of fish trade.

For many APEC economies, fisheries are an integral component to socio-economic, and in some cases, nutritional well-being. Ensuring sustainable fisheries and aquaculture production as part of sound environmental conservation and resource management in the Asia-Pacific region is crucial for food security, poverty alleviation, and economic growth.

The Fisheries Working Group (FWG), created in 1991, envisions well-managed fisheries and aquaculture that yield optimal economic value to support sustainable communities and livelihoods in APEC members' economies, while ensuring the long-term conservation and sustainable use of those resources. The FWG's objectives include:
  • Advancing APEC strategic objectives and responding to emerging regional priorities;
  • Supporting and promoting domestic implementation of sustainable practices across the seafood value chain;
  • Supporting the development and regional implementation of global fisheries and aquaculture practices that help ensure sustainability and an economically viable industry; and
  • Supporting and promoting trade liberalization and facilitation in fish and fisheries products to eliminate distortions and barriers that restrict access to markets.

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Achievements


The
Ministerial Bali Plan of Action (BPA) (2005), which implements the Commitments in the Seoul Oceans Declaration (2002), is APEC's framework for ensuring the sustainable development of the marine environment and its resources, thus achieving sustained economic benefits and resilient communities from oceans resources. This framework currently serves as one of the primary guides for the work of the FWG and the Marine Resources Conservation Working Group (MRCWG), and a reference for other APEC working groups.

Current Activities

At its
19th annual meeting held in Piura, Peru from April 14-17, 2008, the FWG focused on identifying major gaps and challenges in implementing the Bali Plan of Action, the ministerial framework for healthy oceans and resources adopted at the second APEC Oceans-related Ministerial Meeting in September 2005. The impact of climate change on oceans and fisheries, and ecosystem-based management were among the issues, including a joint session with the Marine Resources Conservation Working Group (MRCWG). The conclusion of the "BPA stock-take" project later in 2008 will provide FWG and MRCWG members with an evaluation of not only what activities are contributing to BPA implementation, but also specific challenges that need to be addressed, with a view to helping find solutions through collaboration, including with multilateral organizations, in the Asia-Pacific region.

The FWG also continued to build on efforts to find the group's niche in global and regional debates and challenges. Discussions focused on issues such as illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, diversification of use of small pelagics into higher value uses including human consumption, sustainable development of aquaculture, eco-labelling and energy efficiency in fishing. The discussions aimed at achieving a common understanding of challenges in the region and strengthening regional cooperation to respond to pressing international issues.

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Fisheries Working Group (FWG) - Key Contacts
Lead Shepherd
Ms. Lori Ridgeway
Director General, International Policy & Integration, Fisheries and Oceans,
Government of Canada. 14W095, 200 KENT ST, OTTAWA, ONT, CANADA, K1A 0E6.
Tel: 1-613-993-1914
Fax: 1-613-990-9574,
Email:
RIDGEWAYL@DFO-MPO.GC.CA

APEC Secretariat

Ms Natalie J Nii
Director (Program)
E-mail: njn@apec.org

 
 
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2007 Summary of APEC Fora's Reports to SCE III