Regional expert meeting for the development of a CACFish data collection system for fishing gear use and catches
Baku (Azerbaijan), 21/05/2026 - 22/05/2026
The Central Asian and Caucasus Regional Fisheries and Aquaculture Commission (CACFish) is organizing the Regional Expert Meeting for the Development of a CACFish Data Collection System for Fishing Gear Use and Catches on 21–22 May 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The workshop is organized within the framework of the Work Programme of the CACFish for 2025–2027 and continues the Commission’s earlier work on this topic.
The primary objective of the meeting is to design a pilot CACFish data collection system for inland fishing gears used within the CACFish area of competence. The initiative follows the recommendations of the 9th Session of the Commission held in 2025 and represents the first step toward a pilot regional study on fishing gear use and associated catches.
The pilot study will support the collection of data on catch composition and quantities by gear type, as well as information on the number and categories of fishing gear units employed in inland fisheries. The workshop will also contribute to improving data quality, regional information sharing and harmonization among CACFish member countries.
The initiative supports the implementation of key international instruments, including the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the Voluntary Guidelines on the Marking of Fishing Gear. The technical framework of the system was finalized during an expert meeting held in 2025 and subsequently reviewed by the Commission, which recognized its technical robustness and alignment with regional priorities.
Recognizing the challenges faced by some countries in providing comprehensive fisheries data, CACFish is adopting a phased approach that begins with a simplified pilot study, laying the foundation for future full-scale implementation of a harmonized regional system.
About CACFish
The Central Asian and Caucasus Regional Fisheries and Aquaculture Commission (CACFish) is a regional fisheries management body established under the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). It works to strengthen cooperation among countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus to support the sustainable management of inland fisheries and the development of aquaculture. Through regional coordination, technical collaboration and information sharing, CACFish helps its members advance responsible fisheries practices, improve food security and support aquatic resource-based livelihoods.