Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries

The Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations, adopted this Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries on October 31, 1995. In order to ensure effective “conservation, management, and development of living aquatic resources”, the Code lays down ethical principles and international norms of conduct. It recognizes the “nutritional, economic, social, environmental, and cultural” relevance of fisheries, and takes into consideration the interests of different parties. While the Code is voluntary, some of its aspects may be binding under obligatory instruments, such as the Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas, 1993. The 49-page document contains 12 articles and two annexures. Article 1 outlines the nature and scope of the Code, Article 2 lays out its objectives, Article 3 states the Code’s relationship with other international instruments, Article 4 probes into implementation, monitoring, and updating, and Article 5 lays out the special requirements of developing countries. Article 6 demarcates the Code’s general principles, Articles 7-9 deal with management, operations and development of fisheries. Article 10 states norms for the integration of fisheries into plans for coastal area management...