February 2, 2021

FAO director-general highlights importance of aquaculture sector

Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has recently highlighted the importance of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in securing global food security as the world begins to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The fisheries and aquaculture sector has a crucial contribution to make within the Four Betters: Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment and Better Life," Qu said, in his opening remarks at the 34th session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) in Rome, which was held virtually for the first time on February 1.

"The potential of a modern aquaculture to grow and feed the world is extraordinary," Qu said, noting that 10% of the world's population relies on the fisheries and aquaculture sector for their livelihoods.

FAO's State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA), which was issued in June 2020, estimates that total fish production is set to increase to 204 million tonnes in 2030, up 15% from 2018, with aquaculture's share growing from its current 46%.

"We know that land alone will not feed us with abundant quantity and food diversity – we need Blue Transformation to secure Blue Food production," Qu added, reiterating the importance of modernising traditional fisher culture with innovative approaches and digital technologies.

The director-general also pointed out the benefits of fish in diets, especially for pregnant women, and children, in combating all forms of malnutrition, stressing that fish should be promoted in food and nutrition strategies across the world.

- Seawestnews