REVIEW OF PROGRESS ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FAO DEEP-SEA GUIDELINES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF DEEP-SEA FISHERIES IN THE HIGH SEAS -EXPERIENCE OF RFMO/As WITH IDENTIFYING AND PROTECTING VMEs

摘要

UNGA Resolution 61/105 calls on states to take a number of actions directly and through RFMO/As to ensure that ecosystem effects of fisheries are sustainable, or else not authorize fisheries to proceed. A key provision in the Resolution was to requirethat deep-sea fisheries are managed in ways that protected VMEs from SAIs. FAO undertook to provide guidance on how states and RFMOs/As should implement the provisions of 61/105 relative to ecosystem sustainability of fisheries, and protection of VMEs in particular. This guidance was built on the results of a series of Expert Consultations. Two Technical Consultations in 2008 resulted in the International Guidelines for the Management of Deep-Sea Fisheries on the High Seas (FAO 2008; hence "the FAO Deep-sea Guidelines"). This report reviews the experience of RFMO/As with implementation of the paragraphs of those guidelines addressing the identification and protection of VMEs. It highlights gaps in implementation of the guidelines and opportunities toaddress gaps or increase the efficiency with which RFMOs/As are making progress.