Report of the Fifth Meeting of the Regional Fishery Body Secretariats Network (RSN-5)

The Fifth Meeting of the Regional Fishery Body Secretariats Network (RSN 5) was held in Rome, Italy, over two sessions, on 7 and 13 June 2014. Prior to the meeting, all regional fishery bodies (RFBs) were asked to contribute data on how the Blue Growth Initiative (BGI) was being applied within their organizations. This material was compiled into a summary report and used to launch discussion at RSN 5. The summary report and subsequent RSN 5 discussion covered a wide range of subjects that reflected the three pillars of the BGI: integrated, sustainable and socio-economically sensitive fisheries management. In addition to this discussion, presentations were given by two guests, one from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora, and one from the Oslo and Paris Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic. Presentations were also given by several RFB Executive Secretaries on: lost and abandoned fishing gear, inland fisheries, and science-based fisheries management. A final presentation was given by the representative of the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, who spoke about its forthcoming initiatives and meetings. Thirty-one Secretaries representing a diverse range of RFBs from all geographic regions were represented at RSN 5. They included FAO and non-FAO bodies, marine capture and inland capture bodies, science advisory bodies and four of the five tuna regional fishery management organizations. The meeting fostered collaboration and cooperation among the participating RFBs, and gave consideration to a number of matters that merit the attention of all RFBs, governments and FAO. The session on 7 June also examined the agenda of the Thirty-first Session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI 31) and matters of importance to RFBs. The session on 13 June conducted a post-COFI 31 debrief regarding matters of concern to RFBs. The meeting concluded with a discussion on future directions for the RSN.