Page 4 - FAO Aquaculture News, May 2021 - No. 63

EDITORIAL

Organization of the newly
re-structured One of the changes the COVID-19 pandemic has
Fisheries
Division brought about is that colleagues in FAO have been
working from their ‘home office’ for well over a year, with
many virtual meetings and events. See the article in this
FAN on some of the pros and cons of virtual meetings,
as well articles about COVID-19 impacts in China,
and how the pandemic has affected the fisheries and
aquaculture sector in the Maghreb. Be sure to see also
the Publications section and the back cover for links to
all FAO resources relating to COVID-19.

Finally, the departure of Valerio Crespi after
issue 59 brought an end to his excellent work and
accomplishments as FAN Chief Editor. The past three
issues of FAN were published under the responsibility of
two Managing Editors, with Lionel Dabbadie and Austin
Stankus coordinating and managing all activities,
workflows and timelines for issues 60 and 61/62,
respectively. Along with these changing times, FAN now
becomes the FAO Aquaculture News (more on this in
In this issue, we again compiled many interesting the next edition). It is my great pleasure to announce
articles, from the various updates on global and regional that along with the new name of FAN, the Editorial
consultations to thematic articles on conservation, Board has elected Austin Stankus as the new Chief
aquaparks and gender in aquaculture. The development Editor – warm congratulations Austin!
of Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture and the
Global Plan of Action on Aquatic Genetic Resources are Happy reading, and please stay safe!
major new and exciting workstreams in our Sustainable
Aquaculture theme that you may wish to read up
on. And we hope that the ‘regular’ five-year interval
reporting on regional status and trends in aquaculture Matthias Halwart
provides you with the necessary facts and figures for Leader, Global & Regional Processes Team
better information and planning. for Sustainable Aquaculture,
FAO Fisheries Division, Rome, Italy
E-mail: Matthias.Halwart@fao.org

©FAO/V. Crespi (photo taken before COVID-19 pandemic)

FAO AQUACULTURE NEWS – Nº. 63 ■ MAY 2021 iii