Rethinking High Seas Allocation: Should Vessels Pay to Fish on the High Seas?
A new article by Kamal Azmi, Rachel Nichols, Erik van Doorn, Ruth Davis, Bianca Haas, Glen Holmes, Adam Ziyad, Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki, and Quentin Hanich explores whether the current system for allocating access to high seas fisheries is fit for purpose.
Published in npj Ocean Sustainability, the article argues that the relative freedom to fish on the high seas can disadvantage developing coastal states that depend on the same fish stocks. The authors highlight how negotiations over high seas limits and allocation often prioritise access over sustainability, with significant implications for equity and long-term fisheries management.
The piece calls for a rethinking of high seas allocation frameworks to better balance sustainability, fairness, and the interests of developing coastal states, raising important questions about whether vessels should contribute financially for access to high seas fisheries.
📖 Read the article to explore the future of equitable and sustainable high seas governance.
