The Sub-Committee on Fish Trade was established by the Committee on Fisheries to serve as a multilateral consultation forum for discussions on the international trade of fisheries and aquaculture products. The 18th Session of the Sub Committee was convened virtually from 8 April to 8 May 2022 and on 7, 8, 9, and 20 June 2022. The Sub-Committee took note of the continued collaboration between FAO and other international organizations as well as the current global trends influencing the industry.
Additionally, a report examining small-scale fisheries and global trade was presented to the Sub-Committee, which also examined aquatic food systems and their utilization, including food loss and waste. Along with the influence of biodiversity conservation instruments on international trade, the complexities of preferential access of fisheries and aquaculture products associated with trade agreements were also covered.
The Sub-Committee was informed about the overall work performed by FAO on food safety and quality of fisheries and aquaculture products, as well as current trends in the production, consumption, and international trade of these products. The FAO’s continuing traceability and catch documentation initiatives were updated for the Sub-Committee. The Sub-Committee supported the continuation of FAO’s work on social responsibility.