Specialized and Affiliated Organizations 



16. FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION: FAO 



Established in 1945, FAO is responsible for raising levels of 

 nutrition and standards of living of the peoples under the respec- 

 tive jurisdictions of its member nations, securing improvements in 

 the efficiency of the production and distribution of all food and 

 agricultural products including fishery products, bettering condi- 

 tions of rural populations, contributing to an expanding world 

 economy, and ensuring humanity's freedom from hunger. It sponsors 

 the Perspective Study of World Agricultural Development (PSWAD) and 

 plays a major role in international marine science activities as 

 they relate to fishing and the fishing industry. 



Within FAO headquarters is a Department of Fisheries, which, among 

 its many duties, is responsible for extensive bibliographic work 

 and maintenance of the FAO Fishery Data Centre (FCD). FAO, with the 

 cooperation of IOC, was responsible for development of the Aquatic 

 Sciences and Fisheries Information System (ASFIS). (See entry 230.) 



Other components of FAO are described in entries 17 through 20. 



17. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON MARINE RESOURCES RESEARCH: ACMRR 



Established in 1963 as an FAO body, ACMRR advises the FAO 

 Director General on the formulation and execution of programs con- 

 cerned with marine resource research and advises IOC on fishery 

 oceanography. It is the FAO body responsible for international 

 programs, projects, and policies relating to marine sciences. It 

 meets with other international organizations involved with similar 

 programs. The Committee has 13 members from FAO member states. 

 When acting as IOC adviser, its members are increased by two persons 

 appointed from states that are not members of FAO. 



18. EXPERT PANEL FOR THE FACILITATION OF TUNA RESEARCH: EPFTR 



Established in 1964 upon recommendations made at the FAO Scien- 

 tific Conference on the Biology of Tuna and Related Species, the 

 Panel operates much like ACMRR, but is highly specialized. 



19. COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES: COFI 



Established in 1966 as an FAO standing committee, COFI comprises 

 senior fishery officials from 34 member nations who are elected by 

 the Council in such a manner that representation is assured for 

 nations having special interests in fisheries and for nations having 

 interests in different areas of the oceans. COFI meets annually to 

 review the work program of the Department of Fisheries, to consider 

 fishery problems of an international character, and to promote inter- 

 national cooperation in fisheries. 



20. FAO REGIONAL FISHERIES COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES, OR COUNCILS 



FAO sponsors regional fisheries organizations established 

 throughout the world. Each organization is responsible for advising 

 FAO on fishery programs in its respective area, for encouraging 

 national and regional programs of cooperative action in the investi- 

 gation and management of fishery resources, for encouraging training 

 and proper assignment of fishery personnel, and for assisting in the 

 collection and dissemination of data. The regional organizations, 

 their initialisms, and dates of establishment are: 



