Have you ever wondered how fisheries in international waters are managed?
This complex task often falls to Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs),which oversee fish stocks in high seas areas beyond national jurisdiction.
One such organisation, the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC), recently held its 43rd Annual Meeting in London. Participants from the EVERYFISH and OptiFish projects, led by SINTEF Ocean, attended as observers, marking a significant milestone in fostering collaboration with key international stakeholders in fisheries governance.
NEAFC’s Role and Member States
NEAFC plays a crucial role in managing fish stocks in the North-East Atlantic. Its member states include the European Union, Denmark (on behalf of the Faroe Islands and Greenland), Iceland, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the Russian Federation.
Over four days, the EVERYFISH/OptiFish team witnessed member states negotiate quotas, and fishing rights, and adopt recommendations to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems. Observing these deliberations provided valuable insights into the complexities of international fisheries governance.
Collaborating with NGOs
The NEAFC meeting also served as an engaging platform for NGOs concerned with sustainable fisheries management. While delegations negotiated privately, the team connected with representatives from organisations like Pew, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), and the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC). Through semi-structured interviews, they gained valuable perspectives on monitoring and surveillance challenges in fisheries.
The Case for Electronic Monitoring
While electronic monitoring was intermittently discussed during the meeting, the EVERYFISH/OptiFish team strongly believes that many of the challenges in managing high-seas fisheries could be addressed through automated catch registration and data-driven solutions. These technologies have the potential to enhance transparency, improve decision-making, and reduce illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Challenges in the 43rd Annual Meeting
This year’s meeting, however, was not without its difficulties. Due to geopolitical tensions, key advisory committees like the Committee for Monitoring and Compliance (PECMAC) were unable to convene before the main event. This absence of preparatory discussions created significant hurdles in reaching a consensus on critical issues, such as monitoring and control measures and strategies to combat IUU fishing.
Looking Ahead
Despite these challenges, the EVERYFISH and OptiFish teams are optimistic about the role their technologies can play in strengthening fisheries governance. Their participation in the NEAFC meeting underscored the importance of international collaboration and innovation in achieving sustainable fisheries management.
The team extends their gratitude to NEAFC for the opportunity to attend this year’s meeting and looks forward to contributing further to the future of high-seas fisheries governance.
Text and photos by Hanne Hjelle Hatlebrekke & Julie Grønlund, SINTEF Ocean.
