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Not a Drop in the Ocean

FAO/GEF/The Common Oceans ABNJ Program

By IW:LEARN

December 10^th, 2019

Key successes from the Common Oceans ABNJ Program (2014-2019)

Improving fisheries management and biodiversity conservation in the marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), is not a drop in the ocean.

Tasked with that mission in 2014, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and partners set to work on the Common Oceans ABNJ Program, one of the first programmatic initiatives in the GEF International Waters portfolio. As the Program has now come to its end, here are some key success stories on better fisheries management and biodiversity conservation in the marine ABNJ.

Between 2014-2019, significant strides were made in improving tuna fisheries, tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and protecting marine life and vulnerable ecosystems:

Key achievements by the Common Oceans ABNJ Program (2014-2019). Credit: FAO

“Looking back at its successes, it is clear that the Common Oceans ABNJ Program has been able to advance in the face of the tough challenges of safeguarding biodiversity and protecting vulnerable ecosystems in the ABNJ”,

said FAO’s Alejandro Anganuzzi.

“Together, the partners have carried out a range of activities that brought out transformational and innovative changes at sea, and we are motivated to continue strengthening governance and sustainability in ABNJ fisheries”,

he continued.

Access and download “Not a drop in the ocean”, the brochure on key successes here.

Learn more about how this unique partnership has contributed to sustain international waters cooperation by harnessing the efforts of a large and diverse array of partners, including governments, inter-governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and private sector, and to achieve responsible, efficient and sustainable fisheries production and biodiversity conservation in the ABNJ here. Building on the lessons learned, partners, donors and key stakeholders of the Program have met to discuss a potential second phase of the Program. Read more about that here, and find information about upcoming meetings here.