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 * Improving policy for fisheries
 * Reducing adverse impacts of fisheries
 * Improving planning for deep-sea fisheries
 * Cross-sectoral planning


THE ABNJ DEEP SEAS PROJECT

The ‘ABNJ Deep Seas Project’ (full title: Sustainable fisheries management and
biodiversity conservation of deep-sea living marine resources and ecosystems in
areas beyond national jurisdiction) works towards the sustainable use and
efficient conservation of deep-sea biodiversity. A joint project from the United
Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP), it works with regional fisheries bodies, other multi-sectoral
organizations, the fishing industry and governments.



AREAS BEYOND NATIONAL JURISDICTION (ABNJ)

The ocean is the life-support system of our planet. Covering 71% of the world’s
surface, it is a vast and dynamic system that provides essential services for
the livelihoods of millions of people. It provides food, raw materials, energy
and transportation routes, as well as regulating our climate. Yet about 61% of
the ocean lies beyond national jurisdictions, i.e. beyond the 200 nm Exclusive
Economic Zones (EEZs) of coastal countries. ABNJ includes the High Seas and the
seabed beyond the (extended) continental shelf of coastal States.

Significant progress has been made in promoting sustainable management of
deep-sea fisheries and biodiversity in ABNJ. However, as our understanding of
the vulnerability of deep-sea habitats, fish stocks and associated bycatch
species develops, increased efforts are required. Deep-sea fishing grounds can
include areas above continental slopes or isolated features under the ocean,
such as seamounts, ridge systems and bank. The extreme conditions in deep waters
make these places home to a truly unique array of wildlife.

In order to advance on the recognition of information and knowledge in
decision-making, this report provides an overview of studies designed to
contribute to improving deep-sea fisheries management and biodiversity
conservation in ABNJ.


IMPROVING POLICY FOR FISHERIES

The ABNJ Deep Seas Project reviewed existing international policy and legal
instruments to identify those of most relevance to sustainable fisheries and
biodiversity conservation in ABNJ. The review focused on identifying instruments
that require implementation through national legislation in order to be
effective for deep sea fisheries and biodiversity conservation in ABNJ.

A step-wise guide of the implementation of international policy and legal
instruments was developed. The guide provides practical steps required to
integrate instruments related to deep-sea fisheries and biodiversity in ABNJ
into national legislation of selected pilot countries.

The project also explored how market-based incentives affect deep-sea fisheries
in ABNJ. This included a study assessing how catch documentation schemes (CDS)
could be applied to deep-sea fisheries in order to mitigate illegal, unreported
and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing).

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© sebastiandre / Adobe Stock


REDUCING ADVERSE IMPACTS OF FISHERIES

A key aspect of the ABNJ Deep Seas Project involved bringing together different
users of ABNJ, each with different expertise and experiences. The sharing of
knowledge helped users to better understand the importance of deep-sea living
marine resources and habitats in ABNJ, their value and the impacts of human
activities on deep-sea biodiversity.

We worked with regional fisheries bodies to develop best practices for
implementing measures to reduce significant adverse impacts on Vulnerable Marine
Ecosystems (VMEs). These best practices were shared with all regional fisheries
bodies. The project also worked closely with scientific organisations to bring
together and validate existing information related to Ecologically or
Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) so that decision-makers can use it
to better protect marine biodiversity.

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Tuna © Sergemi / Adobe Stock


IMPROVING PLANNING FOR DEEP-SEA FISHERIES

The ABNJ Deep Seas Project harnessed the expertise of deep-sea specialists and
fisheries scientists to undertake reviews of two important deep-sea fisheries
species: the orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) and the alfonsino (Beryx
splendens). These reviews include key information on species biology, a current
assessment of exploitation levels and conservation status, as well as a summary
of existing and proposed management methods.

Throughout the project, we worked in close partnership with the Regional
Fisheries Management Organisations (RMFOs) in the Southern Indian Ocean and the
South East Atlantic regions to provide an overview of the international legal
framework for monitoring, control and surveillance of fisheries in ABNJ.
Increasing regional knowledge, awareness and capacity related to enforcement and
compliance activities is a key aspect of fisheries management and provides
options on how to strengthen monitoring, control and surveillance capacity
within these regions.

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Deep sea anemone © FAO


CROSS-SECTORAL PLANNING

The aim of this part of the project was to develop a framework for
cross-sectoral area-based planning in ABNJ. To do this, we generated a
scientific basis that demonstrated the need for planning across all sectors
operating in ABNJ. This was generated by undertaking a series of studies, data
reviews and regional workshops with stakeholders. The result was the development
of a framework for marine spatial planning in ABNJ, the applicability of which
was assessed during a theoretical exercise at a series of regional workshops.

Throughout the project, we worked in close partnership with the Regional Seas
Secretariats in the South East Pacific and the Western Indian Ocean to
understand the different regional context and priorities and build capacity in
relation to area-based planning. Increasing regional knowledge, awareness and
capacity related to ABNJ in these two regions was one of the key objectives of
the ABNJ Deep Seas Project.

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Underwater © photogoricki / Adobe Stock
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