Cross-sectoral management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral project is committed to building and strengthening regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ.

Tuna and tuna like species account for 20 percent of the entire value of the world’s marine capture fisheries. The total amount generated by these fish is estimated at over USD 10 billion annually, which supports the livelihoods of thousands of communities worldwide. Tunas travel vast distances, passing through both exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of coastal developing states and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and the so called “high seas”, also known as areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The strong demand for tuna, combined with excessive fishing, is one of the reasons that have caused stocks to decline and have left fisheries unable to reach optimal catches. This creates a challenge for the 85 countries that fish for tuna and jointly manage these fisheries through tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (t RFMOs). The main objective of this project one of four projects making up the Global Environment Facility financed Program on Global Sustainable Fisheries Management and Biodiversity Conservation in ABNJ was to achieve sustainable and efficient tuna fisheries production and biodiversity conservation in the ABNJ by targeting three specific issues: ( i ) declines in tuna fisheries resources due to insufficient use of robust conservation and management measures; (ii) illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing undermining the effectiveness of measures; and (iii) negative impacts from tuna fishing on ecosystems and biological diversity.

Deep Sea Fisheries (DSF) occur at great depths in the Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) and constitute a small fraction of global fisheries; however, DSF are often highly valuable, generating up to USD 620 million annually. Interest in deep sea species has led to concerns about their enhanced vulnerability as a result of increased fishing activities and the potential damage caused by bottom contact fishing gears to fragile benthic ecosystems like coral reefs and sponge grounds. Although significant progress has been made in promoting sustainable DSF and protecting biodiversity in the ABNJ, the pace and scope of management measures and scientific understanding needs to be expanded, given the known vulnerability of deep sea fish stocks, associated bycatch species and habitats. Greater international and consumer pressure, as well as raised awareness and readiness for action among stakeholders, are now creating favourable conditions for acting decisively in support of the implementation of relevant policy and legal frameworks that are strengthening spatial planning and control measures, including the improved protection of sensitive areas such as vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs). The main objective of this project one of four projects making up the Global Environment Facility financed Program on Global Sustainable Fisheries Management and Biodiversity Conservation in ABNJ was to achieve efficiency and sustainability in the use of deep sea living resources and improving biodiversity conservation in the ABNJ. It aimed to achieve this through the systematic application of an ecosystem approach to: ( i ) improving sustainable management practices for DSF, taking into account the impacts on related ecosystems, (ii) improving the protection of VMEs and enhanced conservation and management of components of ecologically and biologically significant areas and (iii) testing area based planning tools for deep sea ecosystems.

The Common Oceans ABNJ Program brought together global stakeholders and partners to promote the sustainable use of fisheries and the protection of marine biodiversity in the ABNJ. The Program, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), involved the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Bank Group (WBG), as well as Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) and other intergovernmental organizations, national governments, the private sector, civil society and academia. This report presents the results obtained by the Common Oceans ABNJ Program between 2014-2019. It highlights the value, importance and benefits of sustainably managing fisheries and biodiversity conservation in the ABNJ, and how the collateral impact of fishing is less harmful to the marine environment now than when the program started out in 2014.

Marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), which comprise 64 percent of the ocean’s surface, contain ecosystems with marine resources and biodiversity of great ecological, socio economic and cultural importance. However, the complex management of the rich marine resources and biodiversity of the ABNJ requires international cooperation. This has improved since the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) was adopted in 1982. Nevertheless, challenges remain if the responsible and sustainable use of these important ecosystems is to be achieved. The objective of the project was to promote effective global and regional coordination and to strengthen the capacities needed to achieve sustainable fisheries and biodiversity conservation in the ABNJ. This was to be achieved by ( i ) strengthening and broadening cross sectoral dialogue and policy coordination in ABNJ, (ii) increasing the capability of decision makers (especially those from developing countries) to participate in policy making processes for management and coordination of ABNJ activities and (iii) broadening the public understanding of threats to biodiversity, marine ecosystems and services related to the ABNJ.