FAO-ICES Symposium

Future proofing fisheries: Progress, challenges, and needs

Cairns, Australia. May 11-15, 2026

The FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division’s, Blue Transformation Roadmap 2022–2030: A vision for FAO’s work on aquatic food systems aims to deliver healthy fish stocks, restore ecosystems health, and secure equitable livelihoods for dependent communities globally. The Blue Transformation Roadmap recognizes a need for “transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable aquatic food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind”. The roadmap promotes:

the adoption of sustainable fishing practices to prevent overfishing and ensure the long-term health of fish stocks
protection of aquatic habitats from degradation
enhancing resilience to climate change and other environmental shocks
safety of fishers
provision of support for countries to develop and implement effective practices for sustainable fisheries, and
global collaboration and sharing of successful practices

The FAO’s collaboration with the ICES-FAO Working Group on Fishing Technology and Fish Behaviour (WGFTFB) is an important step to enhance global collaboration and share successful practices through open sessions and focused multi-year topic groups. Current Terms of Reference for the group include research on: i) gears used in abundance estimation; ii) reduction of bycatch and discards; iii) environmentally friendly gears and innovations to mitigation ALDFG; iv) improving fuel efficiency and emissions; v) fish behaviour in relation to gear; vi) summaries of relevant national research activities; and, vii) innovative technologies improving the safety of fishing operations.

Every third year, as part of the annual WGFTFB meeting, FAO develops and leads a symposium of relevant topics in collaboration with the Working Group chairs. The next FAO sponsored WGFTFB meeting will be held in 2026 in Cairns, Australia. Hosted by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), this meeting includes a multi-day symposium for delegates to participate in global collaboration and sharing of good practice and case studies in support of the Blue Transformation Roadmap and contributing to FAO’s global goals. Researchers, fishers, and other stakeholders are invited to attend this meeting and present on the following symposium themes, with a particular focus on the Asia-Pacific region:

1. Future-proofing commercial fisheries: Progress, challenges, and future needs requiring technical and other innovations to ensure environmental, economic and social sustainability, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.

Examples of technological innovations include: New fishing methods; gear switching; eco-friendly gear; Electronic monitoring (EM) systems; A.I. tools; mobile apps for fishers for catch reporting/weather alerts/market access

Examples of Policy and Governance Innovations include: Ecosystem based fisheries management; rights based management; and adaptive co-management.

Examples of Social and Economic Innovations include: Inclusive financing models; gender responsive programs; collaborative approaches, change management, Theory of Change, youth engagement; and blue carbon initiatives.

2. Considerations, applications, and implications of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs): Presentations on anchored FADs (aFADs), drifting FADs (dFADs), artificial reef FADs and other artificial structures used for commercial or small-scale fisheries are welcome. Designs involving environmentally friendly materials are of specific interest.

Examples of relevant themes include:

Examples describing the evolution of FAD technology could include: Innovations, challenges, and future directions

Examples of development of eco-friendly FADs would include designs utilising biodegradable, non-entangling and sustainable materials”

Examples of applications and implications could include: Lessons learned from introducing FADs in small-scale fisheries, with examples of empowering coastal communities through innovation, and community-based management of anchored FADs of particular interest; impacts of FADs on Pelagic Ecosystems.

3. Bycatch reduction in static gears: Innovative technologies and their application addressing bycatch in static gear fisheries. Technologies addressing ETP bycatch, regulatory requirements, and solutions for small scale vessels of particular interest.

Examples of relevant innovative technologies include: acoustic deterrents; LED lights; hook shielding devices; shark sensory devices; circle hooks; appropriate EM technologies.

Case studies and lessons from the field contributing to ETP (marine mammals, turtles, sharks etc) bycatch reduction in static gears are also encouraged.

4. Bycatch reduction in mobile gears: Innovative technologies and approaches addressing bycatch in mobile gear fisheries, including those beyond codend modification.

Examples of relevant innovative technologies include: New or modified bycatch reduction devices (BRDs); use of lights, sound, or other devices; hydrodynamic modifications; anterior trawl modifications; camera-based electronic monitoring systems to monitor levels of bycatch; species-specific escape windows.

Case studies and lessons from the field contributing to bycatch reduction in mobile gears are also encouraged.

5. Marine plastic pollution from Fisheries: Developments, innovative technologies, and approaches to prevent and reduce marine plastic pollution with a focus on addressing abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) and ghost fishing.

Examples of relevant innovative technologies include: biodegradable fishing gear components; gear marking systems and tracking solutions to identify and trace ownership; timed release mechanisms; acoustic release systems; solutions for gear retrieval; quantitative ALDFG indicators; satellite imagery and AI tools; circular economy and recycling innovations.

6. Technological advances in commercial fisheries: What’s heading our way in terms of technological innovations not included in other themes.

Examples of relevant innovative technologies may include: AI tools; energy efficiency and green technologies; post-harvest and value chain innovations; software development (e.g., for data analysis).

7. Small scale vs industrial scale fishing technologies: What can small scale fisheries learn from successful technologies adopted at industrial scale and vice versa.

Examples of relevant innovative technologies may include: EM and digital logbooks; affordable fish finding and navigation tools; onboard catch handling and preservation systems; fuel efficient engines; safety equipment; selective and low impact gear types; co-management tools; eco-friendly materials and gear design; low-tech innovations; circular economy practices

8. Alternative energy sources and fuel efficiency: Advances in adoption of alternative renewable energy resources that can be used by fishing vessels, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Examples of renewable energy resources include: Solar power; wind power; battery-electric propulsion; hydrogen fuel cells; biofuels.

9. Onboard safety (at sea and in the harbour): Innovative technologies contributing to the safety of fishing operations both at sea and in the harbour.

Examples of relevant innovative technologies may include: Personal protection equipment (PPE) Innovations; deck machinery and gear handling; vessel access and vessels design; loading/unloading gear innovations; inspection and maintenance technologies.

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Future proofing fisheries: Progress, challenges, and needs