Lenfest Ocean Program’s Post

This week, delegates meet in Incheon, South Korea 🇰🇷 for the second Conference of the Parties of the Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement (CAOFA). 🌊 The DSCC will be attending the meeting as an observer for the first time. We will be advocating for a rigorous experimental fisheries protocol, including environmental assessments, protection of ridges, #seamounts and similar topographical features, and protection of all vulnerable marine ecosystems. CAOFA can safeguard one of the last great remaining wildernesses on our blue planet. 🐟 Find out more about CAOFA and why it’s so important: https://lnkd.in/eDcJG6Gm

#Business: IN a significant step for Pacific fisheries, US Ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu, Marie Damour, hailed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Fishing Access Terms for 2025 as a “testament to enduring cooperation” between the United States and Pacific nations. Read more here: ( https://lnkd.in/g3-jFPVj )

#geopolitics #law #publicinternationallaw #cod #fishing #EEZ and #beyond #technicalmeasures //to regulate the fishing activities in the high seas of the Northwest Atlantic outside Canada's 200-mile exclusive economic zone, excluding the fisheries on tuna and tuna-like species, which are managed by another RFMO. // RFMOs (Regional fisheries management organisations) make sure that fishing activities do not cause significant adverse impact on biodiversity and marine ecosystems. Currently, European Union participates in 5 tuna-RFMOs and 13 non-tuna RFMOs. There are two important legal concepts incorporated in the #unclos (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) for the treaty itself to operate on: ‘Territorial Sea’ (Art. 3) [Every State has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles(about 22 kilometres), measured from baselines determined in accordance with this Convention]; and ‘Exclusive Economic Zone’ (Art. 57) [The exclusive economic zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles (about 370 kilometres) from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured]. Speaking of the story of ‘exclusive economic zone’ #eez, I think of the #codwars between #iceland and the #unitedkingdom (1958-1976*) which had laid a solid foundation for the general practice of the #200nauticalmiles #exclusiveeconomiczone as a part of our public international laws nowadays. Although such doctrine was first introduced by U.S. president Truman and suited by Argentina, Chile and Peru, the #codwars dispute between iceland and the UK was by all means the milestone for the operation of this 200-nautical-mile sovereignty rights doctrine. Interestingly, how did territorial waters (#sovereignty) of merely 3 nautical miles (~5.5km), the furthest firing distance of a cannon from the shore centuries ago (legal concept of #possession), expand to 12 nautical miles (~22km) as of today? and subsequently an introduction of #sovereigntyright claim of 200 nautical miles on top of the said #sovereignty assertion? —- *The ‘cod wars’ between the UK and Iceland was during the height of the Cold War when the geopolitical position of Iceland was essential to the NATO.

Combatting IUU and ensuring sustainable fisheries and marine resources is vital to the socio-economic fabrics of “small” Pacific Island Countries. With the vast ocean areas comes greater unseen issues involving (economic/food/human) security! This calls for a greater collaboration necessary in addressing these issues. Also, a guided collaborative approach is needed, more intuitive to the custodians of the region, and a greater responsibility to the policy and law-makers in the region. Less then a decade ago, it was reported that the PICs lost nearly US$150M in revenue to IUU associated revenue costs, I hope that has changed and the PICs are benefiting from the value associated with IUU. On the other hand, I wonder what are the current actual stats on the impacts of IUU to fisheries, livelihoods and economy in the region? The respective economic status of the PICs rests largely on the abundant fisheries resources, and sometimes often mistakenly thought of as a prospective resource for the future - this is where fisheries management comes in,….. plus a whole lot of other cross-cutting factors including socio-political dymanics to climate change and technological advancement! Well done FFA for the continuous efforts towards IUU in the region.

The blue economy concept is very relevant in efforts to improve sustainable development in the marine and fisheries sector, recognizing the abundance of Indonesia's marine resources. In this regard, Korea-Indonesia MTCRC has a meeting with Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas Republic of Indonesia to discuss the importance of development and cooperation between Korea and Indonesia in the field of Blue-Bio Economy Fisheries. The meeting took place at Bappenas Taman Suropati on March 21st, 2024. This meeting marks the beginning of a collaborative project between Bappenas and MTCRC, setting the stage for future joint projects aimed at advancing sustainable development in the marine and fisheries sector. #koreaindonesia #blueeconomy #development #sustainable

🧙♂️ Congratulations #10yearsEMFaF! We are proud to contribute to a more sustainable blue economy in Europe, thanks to the EU #EMFAF funding. In particular, the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) runs from 2021 to 2027 and supports the EU common fisheries policy (CFP), the EU maritime policy and the EU agenda for international ocean governance. It provides support for developing #innovative projects ensuring that aquatic and maritime resources are used sustainably. As a global ocean actor and a major producer of seafood, the EU has a responsibility to protect and sustainably use the oceans and their resources. It is also in the EU's socio-economic interest to guarantee the availability of food supplies, the competitiveness of the maritime economy and the livelihood of coastal communities. It is the EMFAF funding that sustains the work of MSP - GREEN project - contributing to align maritime spatial plans #MSPs to the ambition of European Green Deal #EGD.

Rethinking Katchatheevu: A Paradigm Shift in Indo-Sri Lankan Fisheries Relations The issue of Katchatheevu, an island of historical significance nestled in the Palk Strait, has long been a focal point of contention between India and Sri Lanka. Amidst the intricate geopolitical landscape of the region, traditional approaches have proven insufficient in resolving the complex challenges posed by conflicting territorial claims and the livelihood concerns of fishermen on both sides. In light of this, it becomes imperative to explore unconventional avenues and embrace innovative solutions that transcend conventional diplomatic frameworks. The recent discourse surrounding Katchatheevu beckons us to think beyond the confines of traditional paradigms and envision a future characterized by collaboration, mutual respect, and equitable resource utilization. The historical precedent set by BC Roy's tenacious pursuit of legal recourse, culminating in the Supreme Court's verdict affirming the integral nature of Beru Bari to India, serves as a poignant reminder of the power of judicial intervention in safeguarding national interests. Similarly, the invocation of bold legal strategies by political leaders such as M. Karunanidhi underscores the potency of legal avenues in shaping the trajectory of territorial disputes. Yet, the essence of the Katchatheevu conundrum lies not merely in legal wrangling, but in fostering a symbiotic relationship between India and Sri Lanka, grounded in shared stewardship of maritime resources. The proposition to reclaim Katchatheevu on a lease in perpetuity, akin to the innovative "Bigha in Reverse" concept, exemplifies a departure from conventional approaches towards a more nuanced and collaborative model of resource management. Furthermore, the suggestion to establish a cooperative framework for fisheries management, wherein Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen engage in joint ventures and deep-sea fishing expeditions, holds immense potential for fostering mutual understanding and mitigating the adverse impact of overexploitation of marine resources. Central to this paradigm shift is the recognition of the Palk Bay not as a barrier, but as a bridge connecting the two nations. By reframing the discourse surrounding Katchatheevu from one of territorial dispute to one of shared heritage, we can pave the way for a harmonious coexistence wherein the interests of both nations and their respective fishing communities are safeguarded. Moreover, it is imperative for policymakers to address the root causes of the conflict, including the proliferation of bottom trawlers and the depletion of marine ecosystems. A concerted effort to regulate fishing practices, ban equipment prohibited in Sri Lanka, and promote sustainable fishing methods is essential to ensure the long-term viability of marine resources in the region. This,the resolution of the Katchatheevu issue necessitates a departure from conventional diplomatic approaches towards astill

The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United Kingdom to formalise a partnership aimed at enhancing regional cooperation to advance sustainable fisheries, maritime security and economic development. https://lnkd.in/gn-kRTSV

🌊 An example of EU cooperation – The EU inter-state and institutional cooperation for the annual fishery quotas adoption 🌍 In December 2024, the EU’s AGRIFISH Council reached a crucial agreement on fishing quotas for 2025. This decision highlights the balance of institutional and inter-state cooperation, aiming to recover fish stocks sustainably while addressing the socio-economic needs of European fishermen. As the world’s third-largest fisheries producer, the EU faces mounting challenges: overfishing, ecosystem changes, and economic pressures on coastal communities. Yet, this agreement reflects the EU’s dedication to responsible fisheries management and a sustainable blue economy. 📖 Read more in our latest Saar Brief from Gaylor JANTON, LLM 👉 https://lnkd.in/ewnCnkTd Our team wishes you a great read and a wonderful holiday season! We look forward to sharing engaging and thought-provoking blog posts with you in the coming year. Happy holidays!  #BlueEconomy #Sustainability #FisheriesManagement #EU

The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) has once again blocked NGO observers from attending the key portion of its Technical & Compliance Committee meeting. Despite our previous calls for transparency and those of other NGOs and a number of national delegations, WCPFC remains the only tuna #RFMO that continues to exclude observers from important sections of key meetings, particularly those where draft compliance reports are produced. We remain deeply concerned by #WCPFC’s continued resistance to transparency. Despite the Commission's public claims, its refusal to open these sessions undermines both its credibility and its commitment to sustainable ocean governance. In our statement to WCPFC delivered following our exclusion. we emphasized that Accountability.Fish emphasized that this lack of transparency stands in direct violation of several international agreements, including the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement, of which all but three WCPFC members are signatories. Article 12 of the Agreement clearly stipulates that "States shall provide for transparency in the decision-making process and other activities of subregional and regional fisheries management organizations." Accountability.Fish added that while WCPFC claims to act in the best interest of ocean conservation, its exclusionary practices undermine these goals. The dismissive statements of its leaders, as evidenced by the post below, reflect a particularly flagrant disregard for the rights of all stakeholders. Simply put, there is no #sustainability without #accountability. #transparency #governance #environment #FSM, #Niue, #Tuvalu, Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), #PNA #fisheries