Thumbnail Image

Not a drop in the ocean

Key successes Common Oceans ABNJ Program 2014-2019

Copyright licence

Year of publication 2021

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 24 p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Booklet

Category Corporate general interest

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Oceans are essential to life on earth. They help regulate our climate and produce oxygen for us to breathe. They also provide food, jobs, energy and transport for millions of people around the world. Yet, our oceans are in peril. Overfishing, pollution and climate change are some of the threats facing the marine environment, as well as the supply of goods and services oceans provide to humankind. The need to protect the oceans is gaining momentum on the international agenda and global action is being taken, targeting even the ocean’s remotest parts, known as the areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) – which cover over 60 percent of the ocean’s surface and 40 percent of the planet’s surface. Far from land, outside national boundaries, the complex management of the rich marine resources and biodiversity of the ABNJ requires international cooperation. This has improved since the UN Convention for the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) was adopted in 1982. Nevertheless, challenges remain to achieve the responsible and sustainable use of these important ecosystems. To contribute to meet these goals, the Common Oceans ABNJ Program brought together global stakeholders and partners to promote the sustainable use of fisheries and the protection of marine biodiversity in the ABNJ. The Program, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), involved the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Bank Group (WBG), as well as Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) and other intergovernmental organizations, national governments, the private sector, civil society and academia. This report presents the results obtained by the Common Oceans ABNJ Program between 2014-2019. It highlights the value, importance and benefits of sustainably managing fisheries and biodiversity conservation in the ABNJ, and how the collateral impact of fishing is less harmful to the marine environment now than when the program started out in 2014.

Cite this content as:

​FAO. 2021. Not a drop in the ocean: Key Successes Common Oceans ABNJ Program 2014-2019. Rome.

Language English

Also available in:
No results found.

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (stand-alone)
    General interest book
    Not a drop in the ocean
    Key successes - Common Oceans ABNJ Program 2014–2019
    2019
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    The Common Oceans ABNJ Program aims to improve fisheries management and biodiversity conservation in the marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). Between 2014-2019, the Program carried out many activities that contributed to: improving tuna fisheries, tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, protecting marine life, and safeguarding marine ecoystems. This brochure presents an overview of the Common Oceans ABNJ Program's key successes.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Project
    Programme / project report
    Regional Workshop on the Conservation and Sustainable Management of Coral Reefs 1997
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    The Regional Workshop convened by M S Swaminathan Research Foundation in collaboration with the Bay of Bengal Programme of FAO (BOBP) is designed to address these issues and to develop an action plan for saving the remaining coral reefs in the SAARC region. Since its establishment in 1989, M S S R F has given priority attention to the conservation and sustainable use of Coastal Mangrove ecosystems. In many areas, Mangroves, sea grass meadows and coral reefs constitute an integrated ecosystem. Th e Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve represents one such integrated ecosystem. Currently, a detailed action plan is being prepared with assistance from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) for preserving for posterity the biological wealth of the Gulf of Mannar region.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Book (series)
    Technical study
    Status of Interactions of Pacific Tuna Fisheries in 1995
    Proceeding of the Second FAO Expert Consultation on Interactions of Pacific Tuna Fisheries Shimizu, Japan 23 to 31 January 1995
    1996
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    This publication includes forty papers and two abstracts of papers presented at the Second FAO Expert Consultation on Pacific Tuna Fisheries held in Shimizu, Japan, from 23 to 31 January 1995. The topics of the papers include: · reviews of tuna fisheries interactions and their research including methods for their study, · new methods for studying tuna fisheries interactions and examination of their applicability, · case studies on tuna fisheries interactions, · analyses of tuna fisheri es involved in interactions and their management, and · an overview of FAO’s project that co-organized and co-sponsored the Consultation. A supplement of an indexed bibliography of papers on tuna and billfish tagging, which was printed separately, is also included. The objectives of the Consultation were to: · review and integrate the outcome of the studies on tuna fisheries interactions, · summarize the extent of tuna fisheries interactions and unresolved research problems, and · fo rmulate guidelines for research on tuna fisheries interactions. The understanding of tuna fisheries interactions was enhanced significantly by recent studies. However, the Consultation noted that the number of quantified interactions is still small due primarily to difficulties associated with evaluating such interactions. The papers providing supporting information for the conclusions of the Consultation are presented in this publication. Interactions were found to vary in significance depend ing on the biological characteristics of the species involved, the sizes of fish caught, the local and stock-wide rates of exploitation, and the distance among fisheries. In many of the studies presented, the inadequacy of fisheries data was stressed. In addition, the lack of understanding of movements of the fish being studied was noted in several papers. General qualitative guidelines presented in several discussion papers stressed that specifically-designed studies be undertaken to adequately quantify interactions. Well-designed tagging experiments were thought to provide the most reliable information about interactions. Guidelines for the collection of data, biological and ecosystem research, modelling, and alternative methodologies for studying tuna fisheries interactions are also included.
Show more

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (series)
    Flagship
    The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025
    Addressing high food price inflation for food security and nutrition
    2025
    Also available in:
    While some progress and recovery have been made in recent years, the world is still above pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels and far from eradicating hunger and food insecurity by 2030 (SDG Target 2.1). Similarly, despite some progress in the global nutrition targets, the world is not on track to achieve SDG Target 2.2. Among other factors, persistent food price inflation has slowed this momentum.The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025 highlights how elevated inflation in many countries has undermined purchasing power and, especially among low-income populations, access to healthy diets. The report documents how high food price inflation is associated with increases in food insecurity and child malnutrition. Vulnerable groups, including low-income households, women, and rural communities, can be particularly affected by food price inflation, risking setbacks in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.In response to these challenges and to prevent future price shocks, the report examines policy measures adopted by countries, and outlines what is necessary going forwards. It stresses the importance of coherent implementation of fiscal and monetary policies to stabilize markets, promote open and resilient trade, and protect vulnerable populations. Additionally, it calls for better data systems and sustained investment in resilient agrifood systems to build long-term food security and nutrition. These coordinated actions are vital to reignite progress towards ending hunger and malnutrition by 2030.
  • Thumbnail Image
  • Thumbnail Image
Show more