United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing Operations

In response to growing concerns over global depletion of fish stocks, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was tasked by fishing nations in 1992 to develop a Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. The goal was to conserve fish stocks and protect the marine environment. Canada was a key supporter and contributor to this process.

The FAO Code of Conduct provides an important reference tool for the sound management and responsible prosecution of fisheries on a national and international basis. This international code was adopted by 80 countries, including Canada, at the 28^th Conference of the FAO in 1995. Four International Plans of Action (on seabirds, sharks, capacity, and the problem of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing) have emanated from the FAO Code.

The FAO Ministerial Meeting on the implementation of the Code of Conduct in Rome March 10-11, 1999, provided further momentum for broad international endorsement of the Code to ensure that the principles of fisheries conservation are achieved worldwide.

Canada's fishing industry took the lead in applying the Code to domestic fisheries. Canada was the first country to develop its own code of conduct in 1998.

The Canadian Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing Operations was developed as a grassroots initiative by fishers for fishers and represents a fundamental change in Canada's approach to achieving sustainable, conservation-based commercial fisheries across Canada.

The nine principles in the Code are the foundation for conservation. Based on the principles, 36 guidelines detail the requirements for the achievement of sustainable fishing operations. Selective fishing, catch monitoring, industry-government collaboration, research, and public and stakeholder education are issues covered under the guidelines.

Broad-based involvement by commercial fishing organizations across the country has contributed significantly to changes in attitude and behaviour which are essential in securing the future of Canada's fisheries resource. Canadian fishers are actively assuming responsibility for the sustainability of an important resource.

To date, more than 60 Canadian fisheries organizations, representing 80 per cent of the landings, have ratified the Canadian Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing Operations.