Report of the Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Deep Sea Meeting 2019 7–9 May 2019 • Rome, Italy ABNJ Deep Seas Project Sustainable Fisheries Management and Biodiversity Conservation of Deep-sea Living Marine Resources and Ecosystems in the Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction REPORT OF THE AREAS BEYOND NATIONAL JURISDICTION DEEP SEA MEETING 2019 7–9 May 2019, Rome, Italy Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Rome, 2020 FAO. 2020. Report of the Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Deep Sea Meeting 2019, 7–9 May 2019, Rome, Italy. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/ca8313en The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. 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Queries regarding rights and licensing should be submitted to: [email protected]. iii PREPARATION OF THIS DOCUMENT This is the report of the ABNJ Deep Sea Meeting 2019. The meeting is an activity of the ABNJ Deep Seas Project (Sustainable Fisheries Management and Biodiversity Conservation of Deep Sea Living Resources in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Project), a five-year project supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and implemented jointly by FAO and UN Environment. The UN Environment project component is executed though the UN Environment World Conservation and Monitoring Centre. The Project is designed to enhance sustainability in the use of deep-sea living resources and biodiversity conservation in the ABNJ through the systematic application of an ecosystem approach. It brings together over 20 partners who work on deep-sea fisheries and conservation issues in the ABNJ globally. The partnership includes regional organizations responsible for the management of deep-sea fisheries, Regional Seas Programmes, the fishing industry and international organizations. The ABNJ Deep Sea Meeting 2019 was organized by FAO, in collaboration with UN Environment. The meeting was attended by 34 participants and FAO, representing nine of the project partners, among other collaborating organizations. The meeting report was written by the ABNJ Deep Sea Project team. Special thanks go to Sofia Franklin, Gwyneth Byrd, Nina Bhola for their assistance in the preparation of the meeting, and much gratitude is expressed to the session moderators and speakers. iv ABSTRACT The Common Oceans ABNJ Deep Seas Project is funded by the Global Environment Fund and implemented by FAO and the UN Environment Programme. The partnership brings together a broad range of partners, including regional fisheries bodies responsible for the management of deep-sea fisheries, fishing industry partners, and international organizations to achieve sustainable fisheries management and biodiversity conservation of deep-sea living resources in the ABNJ. To showcase existing knowledge, practices and innovative research for sustainable deep-sea fisheries management and biodiversity conservation in the ABNJ, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP- WCMC) and the SponGES Project consortium, organized a meeting – the ABNJ Deep Sea Meeting 2019 – that took place on 7-9 May 2019, at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy. Over 40 participants, including representatives from partner organizations and other stakeholders from multiple sectors within the ABNJ, attended the three-day meeting. While significant progress has been made in the management of deep-sea fisheries and in the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems, the ABNJ still faces threats from climate change, ocean acidification, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Building on the achievements of the Common Oceans ABNJ Deep Sea Projects and the SponGES Project, the participants were invited to give presentations on key topics and discuss emerging issues concerning ABNJ governance and deep-sea research, monitoring and management. v CONTENTS 1. BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................. 1 Areas beyond national jurisdiction and deep-seas ................................................................. 1 Areas beyond national jurisdiction deep-sea resources ......................................................... 1 1.2.1. Deep-sea Fisheries ............................................................................................................................ 1 Areas beyond national jurisdiction deep-sea management ................................................... 2 2. AREAS BEYOND NATIONAL JURISDICTION DEEP SEAS PROJECT ................................... 3 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 3 Areas of work .......................................................................................................................... 3 3. AREAS BEYOND NATIONAL JURISDICTION DEEP SEA MEETING 2019 ........................... 4 Introduction session ................................................................................................................ 4 3.1.1 FAO’s work and deep-seas ................................................................................................................ 4 3.1.2 Regional Fisheries Management Organization Roles and Responsibilities – the case of the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission ................................................................................................... 5 3.1.2. The importance of deep-sea ecosystem science and research ......................................................... 6 3.1.3. Capacity building in the ABNJ ............................................................................................................ 7 Theme 1: Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction governance and policy ................................... 8 3.2.1 Review of legal instruments relevant to areas beyond national jurisdiction deep-seas .................. 8 3.2.2 Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Governance Structures ............................................................. 9 3.2.3 Challenges for new deep-sea regional fisheries management organizations ................................... 9 3.2.4 Introducing the concept of policy for semi-closed areas ................................................................ 11 3.2.4. Industry initiatives in the areas beyond national jurisdiction ......................................................... 12 3.2.5. Opportunities and challenges for cross-sectoral area-based management tools in areas beyond national jurisdiction .......................................................................................................................