APFIC Regional Consultative Forum Meeting "Reforming Fisheries and Aquaculture in the Asia-Pacific"

It has become clear that we have reached the last frontier of marine capture fishery expansion. It is also evident that aquaculture is facing severe constraints owing to a lack of land for further expansion and a limit in the global supply of aquaculture feeds. Now is the time to take action on improving management of the region’s natural resources for sustainable development. As a regional consultative body, the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission (APFIC) has a strong role to play in achieving sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture. The overall goal of APFIC’s biennial regional consultative forum meeting, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 16 to 19 August 2006, was to provide (i) background on the status, trends and potential of Asia-Pacific fisheries and aquaculture; (ii) develop policy and action plans on major issues that constrain production such as “trash fish” and national fisheries management; and (iii) discuss emerging issues in the region, namely fish trade and standards, and illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing. A summary and recommendations of the meeting are provided in the report.