This paper provides a summary of technical assistance rendered since 1980 by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to its developing members in the field of fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS). Following the introduction the international and national legal aspects of MCS are discussed briefly in the context of fisheries conservation and management. The origin of FAO's MCS programme of technical assistance is then outlined. Over the period 1980 to 199 4, the geographical distribution and type of MCS technical assistance provided by FAO is analyzed. MCS funding sources are addressed in the next section of the paper and a qualitative assessment made concerning the impact that FAO's MCS technical assistance has had on fisheries conservation and management efforts in recipient States. The paper concludes that it is anticipated that a high level of demand will remain for MCS technical assistance in view of the (i) increasing recognition of the fun damental importance of MCS in fisheries conservation and management, and (ii) increased and new international conservation and management responsibilities associated with Agenda 21: The United Nations Programme of Action from Rio, the implementation of the Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas, and the outcomes of negotiations for the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing, and the United Nations Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks.