The Ninth Meeting of the Regional Fishery Body Secretariats’ Network (RSN-9) brought together Secretariats of regional fishery bodies (RFBs) with diverse mandates from all geographic regions, including FAO and non-FAO regional fishery bodies, marine and inland fishery advisory and management bodies and agreements, the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and other invited organizations. RSN-9 took place immediately before and after the Thirty-fifth Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI-35), which was held from 5 to 9 September 2022. As was the case with COFI, RSN-9 met in hybrid format, in person and virtually, via videoconference, to facilitate the participation of those who could not assist personally. For the first time, the meeting was convened over three days. The meeting allowed participants to exchange views and discuss global processes of particular relevance to RFBs. In addition, RSN-9 provided the opportunity to discuss the development and strengthening of RSN, which included the adoption of the RSN terms of reference and the subsequent amendment of the RSN rules of procedure, as well as a space for reflection on the outcomes of COFI 35 and their implications for regional fishery bodies. The meeting had a high level of participation, which underlined the role of the Network as a unique forum to foster cooperation, facilitate discussion and share experiences.

This catalogue aims to improve the dissemination and outreach of FAO’s knowledge products and overall publishing programme. By providing information on its key publications in every area of FAO’s work, and catering to a range of audiences, it thereby contributes to all organizational outcomes. From statistical analysis to specialized manuals to children’s books, FAO publications cater to a diverse range of audiences. This catalogue presents a selection of FAO’s main publications, produced in 2023 or earlier, ranging from its global reports and general interest publications to numerous specialized titles. In addition to the major themes of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, it also includes thematic sections on climate change, economic and social development, and food safety and nutrition.

The Third Meeting of Regional Fishery Body Secretariats Network (RSN-3) was held in Rome, Italy, from 7 to 8 February 2011. It addressed many pressing issues relating to global and regional fisheries governance, including illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, overcapacity, the ecosystem approach to fisheries management, small-scale and inland fisheries and the outcomes of the twenty-ninth Session of FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) held in Rome during the previous week. Twenty-eight Regional Fishery Body (RFB) Secretariats were represented at the meeting with varying responsibilities over inland, coastal and marine fisheries and aquaculture, as well as four intergovernmental organizations. The meeting reached a number of conclusions regarding matters that merit the attention of RFBs, governments and FAO. The RSN also issued a Statement responding to unsubstantiated information that had been published about RFBs and elaborating the challenges and achievements of RFBs.

This publication reports on the meeting of the Regional Fishery Body Secretariats Network which reviewed the decision of the twenty-seventh session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) of relevance to regional fishery bodies (RFBs). The meeting discussed the role of regional fishery bodies (RFBs), external factors affecting fisheries management, approaches to incorporate ecosystem consideration into fisheries management by RFBs, the status of the Fisheries Resources Monitoring System (FIRMS) and other related matters.

The Committee on Fisheries at ist Seventeenth Session reviewed the world fisheries situation, the progress in the implementation of the Strategy for Fisheries Management and Development and the five Programmes of Action approved by the 1984 FAO World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development. It also reviewed actions taken by FAO in the implementation of the World Fisheries Conference's Resolutions concerning specific aspects of fisheries management and development. It agreed on the formats and periodicity of the progress reports on the implementation of the Strategy and the Programmes of Action to be submitted for consideration at its future sessions. It welcomed the information on trends and future prospects in world fisheries and requested that this information be submitted periodically for its review. The Committee considered the Report of the First Session of the COFI Sub- Committee on Fish Trade held in October 1986 and endorsed the Sub-Commitee's recommendations. The Committee discussed the activities and functions of FAO regional fishery bodies and agreed that the item should again be placed on the agenda for its Eighteenth Session. The Committee considered the recommendations of an Expert Consultation on the Technical Specifications for the Marking of Fishing Vessels held in June 1986, and reviewed information received from member countries, regional and international organizations regarding the protection of living resources from entanglement in fishing nets and debris. The Committee endorsed the strategies and priorities selected by the Director-General in the preparation of his Summary Programme of Work and Budget for 1988-89 and supported the Conclusions of the Programme Committee at its Fifty-second Session that the proposals for Major Programme 2.2 : Fisheries, responded to the needs of member countries. It unanimously agreed that the Summary Programme of Work and Budget provided a satisfactory basis for the formulation of the full Programme of Work and Budget in fisheries for 1988-89.

The meeting reviewed the decisions of the Twenty-fifth Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) of relevance to regional fishery bodies and FAO Fisheries Circular No. 985 containing summary information about RFBs.