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Fisheries Working Group

  

Fisheries industries in APEC economies account 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 in the fish trade.

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

The Fisheries Working Group (FWG), was created in 1991. It's goals are: well-managed fisheries and aquaculture that yield optimal economic value and support sustainable communities and livelihoods; and the long-term conservation and sustainable use of these 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 liberalisation and facilitation in fish and fisheries products to eliminate distortions and barriers that restrict access to markets.

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Achievements

In 2005, APEC Ministers endorsed the Bali Plan of Action (BPA), which implements the commitments previously agreed to in the Seoul Oceans Declaration of 2002. The BPA provides a framework for ensuring the sustainable development of the marine environment and its resources in order to achieve sustained economic benefits from ocean resources and resilient marine-resource dependent communities. The BPA serves as one of the primary guides for the work of the FWG and the Marine Resources Conservation Working Group (MRCWG), and is a reference for other APEC working groups.

At its 19th annual meeting held in Piura, Peru in 2008, the FWG focused on identifying major gaps and challenges in implementing the BPA. The "BPA stock-take", concluded in 2008, provides FWG and MRCWG members with an evaluation of the activities that are contributing to BPA implementation, and identifies specific challenges that need to be addressed. The stock-take also states that solutions can also be found through collaboration with other multilateral organisations in the Asia-Pacific region.

The FWG plays a continuing role in global and regional debates and challenges. FWG activities have 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; the impact of climate change on oceans and fisheries; eco-labelling; ecosystem-based management; and energy efficiency in fishing. These activities are aimed at achieving a common understanding of challenges in the region and strengthening regional cooperation to respond to such pressing international issues.

Current Activities
The 20th FWG meeting was held on June 1-3, 2009 in Vancouver, Canada. The meeting focused on issues related to sustainable fisheries including combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, implementating the Bali Plan of Action, fisheries management, aquaculture, and planning for the 3rd APEC Ocean-related Ministerial Meeting (AOMM3). The AOMM3 is planned to take place in 2010 in Paracas, Peru.

The meeting was preceded by a seminar on Implementing an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries in the Context of Broader Marine Ecosystem-based Management, and was followed by a joint meeting with APEC's Marine Resource Conservation Working Group.
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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

Assistant to the FWG Lead Shepherd
Mr. Jonathan Terkel
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Tel: 1-613-990-0264
Email: Jonathan.Terkel@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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

Reviewed on: 1st July 2009