Shaping sustainable aquaculture through co-management: Simon Bush leads FAO discussion

Bush’ work on aquaculture co-management, where governments, communities and industry share responsibility for decision-making, forms the basis of the new FAO Guidebook for Developing Aquaculture Co-Management Systems, which he authored. This science-based framework presents co-management not as an abstract ideal, but as a practical approach to improve resilience, equity and ecological outcomes in aquaculture systems.

This knowledge was recently brought into global focus during the FAO-hosted session “Shared Waters, Shared Futures: Shaping Aquaculture through Co-Management”, held alongside the 13th Session of the FAO Sub-Committee on Aquaculture. Moderated by Bush, the event served as a platform to present and discuss the guidebook's principles and applications. Speakers from Chile, Vietnam, Tanzania and China demonstrated how co-management is already being tailored to diverse political and ecological contexts, reinforcing the adaptability of the approach and its relevance for the FAO’s broader Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture.

Co-management represents a shift from conventional, top-down governance models toward more inclusive systems in which governments, local communities, and industry stakeholders share responsibility and decision-making.

Prof. Bush presented co-management as a pragmatic and forward-looking response to issues such as disease outbreaks, water degradation, and spatial conflict in aquaculture zones. By enabling joint action and shared accountability, co-management supports more resilient, adaptive and socially accepted forms of aquaculture development.

The session featured panelists from Chile, Tanzania, China, and Vietnam, offering practical insights into how co-management is being implemented in different contexts. These examples reinforced the global relevance and adaptability of the approach, and supported the integration of co-management into the FAO’s Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture.

Participation in international panels such as this reflects WUR’s commitment to science-based policy and global sustainability. Engaging directly with multilateral organisations like the FAO allows WUR experts not only to share evidence and tools—like the guidebook—but also to help shape global governance agendas in real time.

“The future of aquaculture depends on our ability to collaborate across sectors and borders,” says Prof. Bush. “By being part of these conversations, we ensure that WUR's knowledge supports practical change—towards more sustainable food systems and fairer outcomes for communities.”

The involvement in events like these ensures that scientific insights contribute meaningfully to policy development, capacity-building, and international cooperation—reinforcing WUR’s role as a leading voice in global sustainability transitions.

• Shared waters, shared futures: Shaping aquaculture through co-management
• FAO Aquaculture Co-Management (ACM)
• Shared waters, shared futures: shaping aquaculture through co-management