The International Guidelines for the Management of Deep-sea Fisheries in the High Seas (DSF Guidelines) were adopted by FAO in 2008. The first and only review of the implementation of the Guidelines took place in 2010. There have been many advances in implementation since then and it is timely to conduct another review. The DSF Guidelines have been used to guide regional fisheries management organizations and states in the development of spatial management processes defining fishing grounds and protecting vulnerable marine ecosystems. The DSF Guidelines also require that harvested fish stocks and impacts on bycatch species are assessed and managed, but this has been less well implemented.

Deep-sea fisheries bring economic benefits and are an important source of employment, livelihoods and nutrition. Yet, stock depletion is a major challenge while impacts on ecosystems raise environmental concerns. The Common Oceans Deep-sea fisheries project is committed to making deep-sea fisheries in the ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) more sustainable and reducing their ecological footprint.

The validation workshop of the areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) Deep-Sea Fisheries under the Ecosystem Approach Project, was held virtually in two sessions on 7 and 8 September 2021. The workshop was attended by representatives and potential project partners, including seven Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs), three industry organizations, and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Secretariat. The primary objective of the validation workshop was to update the participants on the development of the project to date, to outline the next steps in the project development process, and to validate the project’s outcomes, outputs and activities.

This publication examines the current status of using still and video camera systems, supported by image analysis through artificial intelligence and computer learning systems, to support the work of on-board scientific observers on commercial fishing vessels. This allows observers to increase their ability to improve data collection and reduce risks to personal safety. It also frees up the observers time allowing them to focus on tasks that can not be replaced by technology. The end result is more and better data, collected to know quality standards, that is independent of observer experience.

Use of still and video cameras to record deepwater shark and VME indicator catches by scientific observers was held virtually on 31 August 2021, bringing developers and users together to share innovations in using cameras onboard fishing vessels to assist observers in collecting more and better data. The meeting consisted of 8 presentations and over 120 registered participants from around the world.