Nations around the world have resolved to cooperate more closely to develop a better framework for the sustainable development of world aquaculture.

This was the agreement reached at the end of the second session of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's Sub-Committee on Aquaculture, held recently in Trondheim, Norway.
During the five day working meeting, representatives from FAO member countries wrestled with a wide range of issues, including:
.Environmental impact of shrlmpfam1ing;
.The use of antibiotics in aquaculture;
.The introduction of non- native fish species into new regions;
.The harmonisation of trade standards; and
.The need for better monitoring of product safety.

In its final report, the sub- committee made a series of recommendations for action by FAO, as well as by the individual member countries. The report is now available on the FAO Fisheries website.
"The work that has been outlined for action by FAO, or for action by the member countries themselves, really represents a global agenda for aquaculture," observed Serge Garcia, director of FAO's Fishery Resources Division.
To help promote national policies conducive to responsible aquaculture, FAO will develop detailed guidelines for the responsible management of farms aimed at both improving the quality of the species farmed there and at reducing negative environmental impact.
A compendium of aquaculture related legislation already

Responding to developing countries' comments that they are .often unable to keep up with safety standards governing fish imports, FAO will work to improve information sharing between importing and exporting nations and, via the international Codex Alimentarius Commission, to develop international standards for the safety of fish products.
FAO will also evaluate various labelling systems being used to certify aquaculture products as safe and environmentally friendly, with a view to encouraging worldwide adoption of a single set of science-based standards.
Countries attending the event also agreed to work with FAO to improve and enhance the collection of world data about aquaculture. .www.fao.org