Promote better high seas governance

Problem: Despite the critical role allocated to them, in practice there is great diversity in the mandates and effectiveness of implementation of regulations by the international bodies set up to undertake high seas fisheries management - the Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs).

The High Seas Task Force recommended developing a model for improved governance by RFMOs, reviewing of RFMO performance, encouraging RFMOs to work more effectively together through better coordination and use of port and trade-related measures and supporting initiatives to bring all unregulated high seas fisheries under effective governance.

Project: Development of a model for improved governance by Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs)

An independent, high-level panel has been commissioned to develop a model for improved governance by RFMOs. The work of the panel is hosted by the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) in London. The aim is to prepare a statement of best practices for RFMOs based on international fisheries instruments. The membership of the panel comprises five internationally-recognised experts covering a balance of legal, scientific, economic and practical fisheries management expertise. The project is expected to last 9 months with two Panel working meetings taking place at Chatham House. The final report of the Panel is expected to be published in mid 2007.

The first Panel meeting took place in London on 25 – 26th September 2006. The second meeting will be held on 26 – 28 February 2007.

For more information and documents go to: www.chathamhouse.org.uk/index.php?id=391

Independent Panel on RFMOs

Full Report and Executive Summary, July 2007

The executive summary of the final report of the Independent Panel to develop a model for improved governance by RFMOs has been published and is available for download. The full report, entitled 'Recommended Best Practices for Regional Fisheries Management Organizations' is also available.

The report is divided into twelve chapters, organized thematically:

• Chapters 1 and 2 deal with the legal and economic theory behind the cooperative management of shared fishery resources.
• Chapters 3-11 deal with specific aspects of fisheries management through RFMOs.
• Chapter 12, which is designed to be used as a standalone document if required, consists of a summary of recommended best practices drawn from the content of Chapters 1-11, and will be available for download shortly.

Contact:

Darius Campbell, DEFRA, UK.
Email: darius.campbell@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Partners:
Canada, New Zealand, Australia, United Kingdom, WWF, IUCN.

Further information:

Project proposal

Briefing note on the independent high-level panel to develop a model for improved governance by RFMOs

Publications:
Following its first meeting the panel commissioned a number of pieces of analysis to assist it in its work and to fill in gaps in the available literature on the subject. These are published below

Study	Author(s)	Status
Analysis of practice of RFMOs regarding non-members	Daniel Owen Esq.	This report summarises the practice of RFMOs regarding non-members, including benefits available to cooperating non-members and sanctions and other measures that may be imposed on non-cooperating non-members.
Survey of bioeconomic modelling relevant to RFMO resources	Dr Trond Bjorndal	In preparation.
Review of Precautionary approach and ecosystem-based management in RFMOs	Dr Andy Rosenberg and Dr Maggie Mooney	This report summarises the ongoing and proposed management activities of 13. In particular, it examines efforts to apply ecosystem-based Management and the precautionary approach. A brief comparative analysis of RFMO activities is presented.