The 36th Session of the Committee on Fisheries which began at FAO Rome today (8 July 2024) began with discussions on the Status of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) as well as progress in the implementation of the Code of Conduct for Sustainable Fisheries and related instruments.
The SOFIA 2024 report highlights total fisheries and aquaculture production reaching a record high of 223.2 million tonnes in 2022, comprising 185.4 million tonnes of aquatic animals and 37.8 million tonnes of algae.
For the first time, aquaculture accounts for a large proportion of aquatic animal production (51 percent) compared to capture fisheries. Malaysia emphasized the need for SOFIA to always align its findings with the SDG indicators, to ensure consistency and relevance in global efforts towards sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
The Malaysian delegation was led by Mr. Nazri Ishak, Director of Policy and Strategic Planning Division, Department of Fisheries Malaysia and Agriculture Adviser Mr. Abdul Rahman Abdul Wahab, Permanent Representative of Malaysia to UN-Based Agencies in Rome.