This review provides an appraisal of existing, state-of-the-art fish identification (ID) tools (including some in the initial stage of their development) and shows their potential for providing the right solution in different real-life situations. The ID tools reviewed are: use of scientific experts (taxonomists) and local experts, taxonomic reference collections, image recognition systems, field guides based on dichotomous keys; interactive electronic keys (e.g. IPOFIS), morphometrics (e.g. IPez), scale and otolith morphology, genetic methods (Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and Barcode (BOL)) and Hydroacoustics.The review is based on the results and recommendations of the workshop "Fish Identification Tools for Fishery Biodiversity and Fisheries Assessments", convened by FAO FishFinder and the University of Vigo and held in Vigo, Spain, from 11 to 13 October 2011. It is expected that it will help fisheries managers, environmental administrators and other end users to select the best available species identification tools for their purposes.