The results of the latest sessions of FAO COFI Sub-Committee on Aquaculture and Sub-Committee on Fish Trade were the focus of discussion at a roundtable on Day 2 of the Global Fishery Forum in St. Petersburg.

FAO representatives have participated in the Global Fishery Forum since its inception, this evidencing close, trust-based cooperation. Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, said that, in addition to their annual presentations at the forum, representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization also take part in the Seafood Expo, and their printed materials, including memos and atlases, are also available in Russian.

Vasily Sokolov, Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for Fisheries, noted that the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation is a very reliable and dependable partner. “Thanks to the FAO’s robust experience, we have an opportunity to contact many experts, government organizations and businesses. We were surprised to find out that a number of countries have demonstrated substantial aquaculture growth in recent years. The organization is a partner in setting up supplies for manufacturing purposes, including in aquaculture, and its capabilities could kick-start scientific developments in this area,” said Vasily Sokolov.

Kirill Kolonchin, Director of the Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography, pointed out that Russia has long recognized the importance of global food security and the benefits of smooth exchange of information, including global catch volume data. He focused particularly on the cooperation efforts to set up an ASFA aquatic sciences database and reference encyclopaediae on the state of global fisheries and aquaculture, as well as on the cooperation within the Committee on Food Labelling and participation in the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography has recently completed major studies to assess resources of Russia’s inland and freshwater bodies in the context of both the global food base and the social component, i.e., public employment opportunities associated with its development – catching, processing and aquaculture.

Marcio Castro de Souza, Secretary of the Sub-Committee on Fish Trade, spoke on the results of the Sub-Committee’s 19th session held recently in Bergen, Norway. Currently, 37% of all fish products are supplied to global markets, with a fish product turnover of $177 billion. The share of the international fish and seafood trade (in US dollars) is even higher than the cumulative meat trade (pork, veal, and poultry). Issues raised for discussion included development of a catch tracking and documentation system, combatting IUU fishing, questionnaires on the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, support for small-scale fishery development and biodiversity conservation projects, the importance of avoiding unnecessary trade barriers, and ensuring small operators’ market access.

Matthias Halwart, FAO Team Leader on Aquaculture and Secretary of the Sub-Committee on Aquaculture, shared the results of the Sub-Committee’s 12th session held this May in Hermosillo, Mexico. Those present at the May meeting emphasized the dominant role of aquaculture in the years to come, the need to harmonize development and environmental conservation efforts, and support for artisanal aquaculture. Conclusions calling for support for commercial cultivation of algae and their promotion on global markets, and, most notably, promotion of this product and aquaculture in emerging economies, including African states, provoked interest.

Vladimir Beliaev, Deputy Director for Research at the Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography, reminded that Russian experts also attended the session in Mexico. He outlined some important areas for cooperation and spoke about the trends and achievements of Russian aquaculture. The share of products in the medium and high price segments is growing in Russia, with a substantial surge in industrial aquaculture and a significant expansion of the range of species cultivated. Improvements are also being made to the regulatory framework in aquaculture, including in relation to businesses’ obligations to repair environmental damage by releasing aquatic organisms. Furthermore, shellfish are being added to the long-existing replacement broodstocks of fish species (sturgeon, carp and whitefish).

In conclusion, Oleg Kobiakov expressed the hope that the FAO and Russian government agencies will be able to maintain and further develop their meaningful cooperation.