At UNOC3 in Nice, ANCORS researchers and alumni contributed to global discussions on ocean sustainability, including planetary boundaries, the BBNJ Agreement, and human rights at sea. Through panels and partnerships, ANCORS helped advance inclusive, science-based governance for the high seas and reaffirmed its commitment to ocean action and collaboration.
In February 2025, KMI and ANCORS convened an informal workshop to explore cooperative approaches to unregulated high seas fisheries—areas where no RFMO exists. Participants highlighted the need for science-led collaboration, improved reporting, and trust-building among fishing States. Rather than pursuing new legal frameworks, the discussions focused on pragmatic, step-by-step action, with squid fisheries in the South Atlantic identified as a potential starting point for joint scientific efforts.
Professor Quentin Hanich and Constance Rambourg participate in the pre-Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC) week in Niue, ahead of the 138th Annual Officials Meeting of the Forum Fisheries Committee. Alongside regional discussions on climate resilience and fisheries cooperation, they convened a workshop introducing a new ARC-funded research project on legal and policy frameworks for remote sensing in maritime enforcement.
Two years after finalizing the BBNJ Treaty, delegates met in New York (April 14–25, 2025) for the Preparatory Commission to advance its entry into force. Discussions progressed smoothly, with ANCORS experts participating on national delegations.
From 13–17 April 2025, the IOTC held its 29th Annual Meeting in La Réunion, chaired by Adam Ziyad of the Maldives. Members tackled key issues like shark conservation, transhipment, and catch limits for skipjack and bigeye tuna. Progress was made, but challenges remain, particularly on catch limits and high-seas inspection. Tensions between small-scale and industrial fisheries highlighted the need for stronger management to ensure sustainable tuna stocks.
ANCORS is collaborating with the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) to help train the next generation of Pacific fisheries managers. We have just held our first in-person workshop in Suva, Fiji, with our 2025 cohort in the University of Wollongong’s Graduate Certificate in Fisheries Management and Development.
The new Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) has been adopted in 2023 and already counts over 100 signatures. In preparation for the entry into force of the treaty, the Second BBNJ Symposium, was held in Singapore from February 18-20, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore and the Centre for International Law at the National University of Singapore.
ANCORS researchers gave an interview with the local radio show ABC Illawarra about their new Podcast: Negotiating the Ocean. The Morning show presented by Nick Rheinberger reports on the local stories of the day, and keeps up to date with everything that’s happening in the Illawarra Region.
Episode 1 of ‘Negotiating the Ocean’ explores the idea of Ocean Equity and how it can be applied to the high-level international talks governing and managing the ocean and its resources. We meet ANCORS researchers who work on different aspects of Ocean Equity, including fisheries, climate change, pollution, deep sea mining, renewable energy, and more.
Book Chapter – Security Cooperation and Fisheries in the Pacific By Bianca Haas, Kamal Azmi, Kerrie Robertson, Transform Aqorau, and Quentin Hanich Pacific small island