The FAO Washington Blog

If you’re like me, a trip to the supermarket fish counter often leaves you fishing for answers: What is this fish? Where does it come from? Is it endangered?

Now, thanks to AppliFish – a new mobile application developed by the fisheries and biodiversity knowledge platform i-Marine, with support from FAO, answers to these questions and more are available at the touch of a button, anytime, anywhere.

Human consumption of fish products has doubled in the last half century, and around 30 percent of the world’s marine fish stocks assessed in 2009 were overexploited, according to FAO’s State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2012.

“With AppliFish, consumers can choose fish that’s not endangered, helping ensure that there will be enough for future generations,” says FAO’s Marc Taconet, Senior Fishery Information Officer and chair of the iMarine board. “Consumers can also use the application to learn more about species, capture levels and habitats, as well as the level of threats faced by these species.”

AppliFish offers basic information on over 550 marine species, such as a common names and sizes, distribution maps, as well as maps featuring expected changes in species distribution caused by climate change.

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AppliFish for Android

AppliFish for iOS

The United States is imposing new catch limits on both commercial and recreational fishing for every species it manages. The rules, the outcome of a multi-year bipartisan effort, will apply to more than 500 species of fish.

The Washington Post’s Juliet Eilperin writes:

Although the policy has attracted scant attention outside the community of those who fish in America and the officials who regulate them, it marks an important shift in a pursuit that has helped define the country since its founding.

Unlike most recent environmental policy debates, which have divided neatly along party lines, this one is about a policy that was forged under President George W. Bush and finalized with President Obama’s backing.

“It’s something that’s arguably first in the world,” said Eric Schwaab, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s assistant administrator for fisheries. “It’s a huge accomplishment for the country.”

By the end of 2011, 40 of the 46 fishery management plans had annual catch limits in place, according to NOAA. The agency expects catch limits to be in place for all species by the time the 2012 fishing year begins.

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Speaking of fisheries, National Geographic and Rare have just announced the finalists in their first-ever Solution Search and are calling on you to vote for the most innovative solution to help community fisheries become more sustainable.

Turning the Tide for Coastal Fisheries received more than 100 entries from coastal fishing communities in 48 countries. A panel of judges has narrowed the field down to ten finalists, and now it’s up to the public to determine the winner.

For more information and to cast your vote, visit the Solution Search website.

The contest winner will receive a grand prize of $20,000 and a video on National Geographic’s The Ocean website; two runners-up will each receive $5,000.