Faroe Islands Minister of Fisheries Johan Dahl hosted the 16th Annual Conference of the North Atlantic Fisheries Ministers in Torshavn, Faroe Islands last week. Issues discussed included the impacts of fisheries on marine ecosystems in the high seas and sustainable stock management across the globe.
Pelagic trawler fishing blue whiting. (Photo: FIS)The conference coincided with World Ocean Day on 8 June, and Assistant Director General for Fisheries and Aquaculture of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Arni M Mathiesen embraced the opportunity to give a presentation prior to the event. He described the role of the FAO in supporting joint efforts across the globe, from those pushing toward sustainable fisheries and aquaculture to global food security and economic development.
Ministers and their representatives agreed that the role and impacts of fisheries are being considered by various international groups working to conserve marine biodiversity and marine environmental protection, and that organisations must continue to coordinate their efforts and priorities internationally.