FAO Resources for Strategic Planning

Effective management of aquatic biodiversity used in aquaculture will play a critical role in the future development and sustainability of the sector. In this context, a global assessment, conducted by FAO, on the status of management of aquatic genetic resources for food and agriculture (AqGR) identified a number of significant challenges and needs. In response to this report, FAO and partners have been developing a number of key resources to facilitate countries to better manage their AqGR. This paper describes these resources, which include, inter alia: a framework of essential criteria; AquaGRIS – a global information system; and a Global Plan of Action for the Conservation, Sustainable Use and Development of Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. These resources can be applied at a range of different levels by diverse aquaculture stakeholders such as policy makers, resource managers, producers and researchers, and can be integrated and used together in the development of strategic approaches for the management of aquatic biodiversity at national, regional and even global scales.