FAO Expert Consultation on Marking of Fishing Gear

Dr. Leela Edwin, Principal Scientist and Head, Fishing Technology Division, ICAR – Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Cochin was invited to attend the Expert Consultation on Marking of Fishing Gear, organised by the Food Agricultural Organisation (FAO), Rome during 4-7 April, 2016.  The consultation was opened by Mr. Arni M. Mathiesen, Assistant Director General, Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, FAO, Rome. During the Expert Consultation guidelines were developed to assist countries in implementing FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries by developing and applying a system for the marking of fishing gear. This was for providing a practical means of locating and identifying the ownership of fishing gear, enabling administrators, owners and users of fishing gear with a reference and a means of providing information and guidance to the appropriate marking technologies; and providing a basis for the preparation of recommendations and regulations designed to minimize the abandonment and discarding of fishing gear for the management of fishery resources in the long run. The Expert Consultation was attended by 18 experts in their personal capacity and four resource persons from different countries. Dr. Leela Edwin presented inputs on fishing gear and marking in India.

Dr. Leela Edwin (Second from left) with other participants of the meeting