The conservation, sustainable use and development of aquatic genetic resources (AqGR) are crucial for continued development of aquaculture. FAO has been working with member countries to develop the first comprehensive report on the State of the World's Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and has also developed a Framework of Essential Criteria for the development of these resources. In response to this report the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture has requested FAO to develop a global plan of action on AqGR.
This presentation will report on some of the highlights of the State of the World report for which 92 countries provided extensive information on the status of their AqGR, through a structured reporting process, covering farmed aquatic species and their wild relatives in areas within national jurisdiction. The report provides a truly global perspective as reporting countries account for more than 96 percent of global aquaculture production. The reporting process has enhanced engagement, built capacity and strengthened information systems on AqGR in many member countries.
The report highlights the wide diversity of species used in aquaculture. There are drivers for consolidation of commercial production around a small number of major aquaculture species, which seems to be occurring, but also drivers for diversification into new species. It is also evident that aquaculture still depends to a large extent on wild types and that there are important interactions between farmed AqGR and their wild relatives, some of which are under threat.
The report highlights other issues of relevance to the conservation of AqGR. Non-native species are important in aquaculture but can harm indigenous biodiversity. Their introduction, use and impacts are inadequately monitored and there is a need for guidelines covering their risks and benefits. Conservation should focus on wild relative AqGR most at risk and emphasize in situ conservation, integrating this with ex situ programs where necessary. The report further highlights that fisheries management and aquaculture development can also play a role in conservation.
Current data on aquaculture production is reported to FAO at the level of species (or species items). While these data are comprehensive they do not fully reflect the broad diversity of AqGR in use today. The process of developing the State of the World Report has thus highlighted the need to record information on AqGR for a broader range of species but specifically to record additional information at the level of the "farmed type", i.e. below the level of species. The Report further recognises capacity building needs for future assessment and characterisation of AqGR.
The presentation highlights some of the issues and challenges around the development of information systems for AqGR including the standardisation of terminology, the definition and characterisation of farmed types, the appropriate role of molecular genetic data and the design of efficient and sustainable reporting systems and the challenge of ensuring sustainability and on-going expansion of the information system.