The mission of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department of FAO is to facilitate and secure the long-term sustainable development and utilization of the world's fisheries and aquaculture. FAO is acutely aware of the fundamental social and economic role played by these two sectors in:

• Meeting global and national sustainable food security.
• Providing self and paid employment for fishing and aquaculture related communities as a means of alleviating poverty in these fishing communities and stemming rural/urban drift.
• Contributing to national and international trade.
• Generating income