As renewable resources, fisheries pose significant economic and governance challenges for policy makers and the fishing industry. Fish stocks need to be managed in a sustainable and responsible way. Whilst moving towards sustainable fisheries social and economic adjustment costs should be addressed without detracting from long term conservation objectives.

The main activities of the OECD in the fisheries field  is to provide a forum among OECD Member countries to deal with the challenges that policy makers and the fishing industry face dealing with fisheries as a unique natural renewable resource.

The Council of the OECD created the Committee for Fisheries in September 1961. The OECD Council approved the revised mandate on 4 December 2008. It is due for renewal at end December 2013.

The Committee for Fisheries provides a unique forum for an open and frank discussion on economic and policy aspects of fisheries issues. Debate, discussion and work focuses on policy reforms and improvements needed to achieve responsible and sustainable fisheries.

In its Review of Fisheries, the Committee for Fisheries surveys policy developments in the fisheries sector of Member countries and works on four major areas of work as part of its 2009-2011 Programme of Work.
Also available: Past Programme of Work