Medidas de Gestao das Pescarias Marinhas e Aquicultura 2019 The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2018 | Page 122

PART 2 FAO FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE IN ACTION
FAO also continues to strengthen countr y
capacit y for species-level reporting from fisher y
and trade activit y, and to determine the
abundance and range of traded commodities, for
species listed under CITES Appendix II – for
example, to fill the recognized gap in the global
knowledge of the level or importance of trade in
non-fin shark and ray commodities, which
includes meat for consumption, skin, oil and
cartilage. The outlook for collaborative work
between FAO and CITES continues to improve,
with new funding from the European Union,
Japan and the United States of America
supporting collaborative opportunities for the
fisheries and environment sectors to work
together to ensure sustainable and productive
oceans, now and into the future.
effort is important, as many CITES Part y
representatives do not have a fisheries
background, experience of aquatic science or
knowledge of the governance frameworks that
are established and in place for management and
conser vation of marine and freshwater resources.
The need for capacit y development, processes and
tools to help Members implement the fish-related
requirements of CITES is growing, especially for
developing countries that wish to ensure
continuation of fish trade where CITES
provisions can be met. FAO works collaboratively
with partners, including the CITES Secretariat, to
promote and support capacit y building for
implementation of fisheries management that
supports CITES provisions (for legalit y and
sustainabilit y of trade), for example through:
„ „ decision support and shared programme
planning or management of species in CITES
appendices, including the development of
National Plans of Action to g uide national
fisheries management (e.g. for sharks and rays,
humphead wrasse);
„ „ assessment and communication of fisheries
responses to threatened species listings, for
example through a Web-based portal
documenting the broad range of national and
regional management responses in relation to
fisheries for chondrichthyes (a database of
measures put in place to document
management and conser vation of sharks and
rays) (FAO, 2017m).
Aquatic genetic resources
The diversit y of aquatic genetic resources (AqGR)
– genetic diversit y among different species,
populations and even individuals (natural and as
a result of breeding programmes) – represents a
valuable and in many cases unexplored reser ve of
the “building blocks” that underpin sustainable
production and trade of fish, invertebrates and
plants in both capture fisheries and aquaculture.
With modern assessment tools, it has become
easier to describe AqGR, in order to manage and
conser ve them and to enhance their contribution
to food securit y, nutrition and livelihoods. For
capture fisheries and aquaculture, the value of
AqGR for increased production, resilience,
efficiency and profitabilit y has been
demonstrated. The untapped potential of the
world’s AqGR for future food supply is becoming
increasingly evident with further understanding
of the genetic variabilit y of wild stocks and the
abilit y to breed for desirable character traits in
aquaculture species. To assist the development,
management, conser vation and responsible use of
AqGR in fisheries and aquaculture, FAO
promotes the development of science-based
policies by providing expert technical and
scientific advice to inform decision-makers and
the public on AqGR-related issues (e.g. recording
and sharing of existing information on AqGR,
accessibilit y of AqGR, initiatives to protect
known genetic strains). The challenge is to
maintain a broad genetic base for the future,
Looking ahead
FAO will continue to support its Members and
CITES Parties through the species listing
process by delivering science-based
information, alongside other bodies with
responsibilit y or expertise for the species that
are proposed for CITES consideration. FAO also
continues to work collaboratively with the
CITES Secretariat and CITES Parties to
improve understanding of the practical
application of CITES listings (FAO, 2016e).
Understanding the successes and challenges in
the application and impacts of implementing
CITES provisions helps FAO inform countries
of best practices and steer investment in
management and conser vation where it is most
needed, with the overall intent of improving
the implementation of the convention.
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