World News: 13th Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) Sub-Committee on Aquaculture Remarks by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General

Today, aquaculture is the most rapidly growing animal protein production sector in the world.

It plays a crucial role and holds great potential in providing nutritional foods, income and livelihoods for the world’s growing population, particularly in regions where hunger and poverty remain persistent.

We must work together to ensure that aquaculture develops sustainably, in a way that respects our environment, supports local communities, and strengthens resilience to global challenges such as the extreme weather and biodiversity loss.

In 2024, COFI adopted the Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture – the first global agreement, developed through an inclusive and collaborative process, to guide aquaculture development and is pinned on sustainability.

It provides science-based guidance for countries and partners to promote increased production that is also responsible and environmentally sound.

As well as providing a framework to guide policies, investments, and partnerships in the years ahead.

This year, FAO and the Global Environmental Facility are collaborating in an integrated Food Systems Programme – which includes 10 country projects that include aquaculture – in support of the transformation of global agrifood systems to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable.

The flagship FAO Initiative such as the Hand-in-Hand and One-Country One Priority Product, as well as the South-South and Triangular Cooperation programme and the One Health approach, provide important platforms to further promote sustainable aquaculture through science-based solutions.

FAO’s Blue Transformation outlines a vision to expand aquatic food systems and increase their contribution to ending hunger and poverty, founded on the principles of sustainability, resilience and equity,

And to ensure the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life – leaving no one behind.

Multilateral fora, such as the G20, the G7 and the BRICS, commended FAO’s Blue Transformation and the COFI Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture as providing important support for sustainable aquaculture intensification and expansion.

Furthermore, as part of the FAO 80th Anniversary celebrations this year, we are launching a techical recognition to highlight effective practices and innovations that have contributed to the responsible and sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture.

Developing sustainable aquaculture under the Blue Economy framework requires balancing economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity, and include:

One: To Adopt Environmentally Friendly Practices, such as:

• Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture, to combine fish, shellfish, and seaweed farming to create a balanced ecosystem where waste from one species becomes feed for another;
• Recirculating Aquaculture Systems, to use closed-loop systems to recycle water, reduce pollution, and prevent disease spread; and
• Sustainable Feed Alternatives, to replace fishmeal with plant-based proteins, algae, or insect-based feeds to reduce pressure on wild fish stocks.

Two: Ensure Ecosystem Protection & Biodiversity, such as:

• Site Selection, to avoid sensitive habitats (mangroves, coral reefs) and use spatial planning tools (GIS) to identify low-impact zones;
• Disease & Parasite Management, to implement biosecurity measures (vaccination, selective breeding) to minimize chemical use (antibiotics, pesticides);
• Restoration Efforts, to pair aquaculture with habitat restoration (for example, oyster reefs for water filtration, and mangrove replanting).

Three: Promote Social & Economic Benefits, such as:

• Community-Based Aquaculture, to engage local fishers and small-scale farmers in co-management to ensure fair income distribution;
• Certification & Eco-Labeling, to adopt standards such as the Aquaculture Stewardship Council or the Marine Stewardship Council to improve market access; and
• Women & Youth Inclusion, to provide training and financing to underrepresented groups to enhance equitable growth.

Four: Leverage Technology & Innovation, such as:

• AI & the Internet of Things (IoT) Monitoring, to use sensors and drones to track water quality, fish health, and feeding efficiency;
• Alternative Energy Sources, such as power farms with solar, wind, or tidal energy to reduce carbon footprint; and
• Genetic Improvement, to develop disease-resistant and fast-growing strains through selective breeding.

Five: Strengthen Governance & Policies, and Enforce Regulations, to implement science-based policies on stocking density, effluent control, and antibiotic use.

Six: Climate Resilience Strategies, such as:

• Adapt to Rising Temperatures, to shift to heat-tolerant species (for example, tilapia and seaweed); and
• Reduce Carbon Emissions, optimize feed efficiency, use electric boats, and adopt low-impact farming techniques.

Seven: Case Studies & Success Models, such as:

• Norway’s Sustainable Salmon Farming with strict regulations + RAS technology;
• Bangladesh’s Shrimp-Silvo-Aquaculture, which combines shrimp farming with mangrove conservation; or
• China’s “Marine Ranching” Artificial Reefs to restore fish stocks alongside aquaculture.

Sustainable aquaculture under the Blue Economy requires technology, policy enforcement, community involvement, and ecosystem-based approaches.

By minimizing environmental harm, while maximizing social and economic benefits, aquaculture can support food security without degrading the ocean or lake health.

Let us continue to promote sustainable aquaculture based on science and advocate aquatic food consumption for healthy people and a healthy planet.