UN Food and Agriculture Organization Committee on Fisheries – COFI

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Committee on Fisheries (COFI) is the only global intergovernmental forum where major international fisheries and aquaculture problems are addressed. Responsible for review of the FAO work programme on fisheries, COFI also undertakes periodic reviews of international fishery problems and examines possible solutions. Founded in 1965, COFI also reviews and makes recommendations on specific matters referred to it by the FAO Council or the Director-General or at the request of member countries.

COFI has two subsidiary bodies: the Sub-Committee on Aquaculture and the Sub-Committee on Fish Trade. COFI convened negotiations for two major international instruments: the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas.