Deep-sea minerals are found on the ocean floor in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) oversees these areas and is negotiating rules for possible future mining. This episode outlines the current state of negotiations, key governance and environmental questions, and links to the new BBNJ Agreement.
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.
The 8th of June is World Ocean Day – a day to celebrate the ocean and to address the challenges that the ocean faces from human activities, such as overexploitation, pollution, and climate change. This episode dives into the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) and reflects on the beauty and the importance of the ocean to all of us – no matter if we live close to the ocean, or far away.
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.
The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission manages the second most lucrative tuna fishery in the world. More than half of the tuna catches in the Indian Ocean come from small-scale fisheries, which are often characterised by a lack of data and information. Overall, the Indian Ocean faces many complex and unique challenges. In this episode, we talk to four experts from the region who have been actively engaged in shaping the Indian Ocean tuna fisheries.
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.