The state of world fisheries and aquaculture 1998

As the world's population grows, will its fishers and aqauculturists manage to meet higher demand for fish at the beginning of next century? There is reason for optimism, according to 'The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture', provided that the aquatic resources are exploited in a sustainable manner.

In line with the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, the 1998 report stresses good governance - and hence appropriate management - as a means of achieving sustainability in fishing and farming activities. Are new management approaches increasing the sector's contribution to sustainable development and food production? And what have international initiatives achieved so far in support of improved practices? Key issues raised by such questions include control of by-catch and discards as well as efforts to reconcile fishing capacity with available natural resources. Access to and use of these resources are in fact cited as the main subject of controversy in capture fisheries and aquaculture today.

The principal purpose of 'The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture' is to inform policy-makers, participants in fisheries and civil society in an accurate an objective manner. 'The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 1998' is illustrated with 44 graphics and 17 tables, clearly presenting the latest data available on the wide variety of issues covered in the report. Available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French and Spanish.

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