International Cooperation, Negotiation, and Strategy
Sustainable and equitable conservation, management and development of our oceans
International Cooperation, Negotiation, and Strategy
The sustainable and equitable conservation, management and development of our oceans depends on more than just science-based decision-making. It fundamentally depends on effective cooperation between sovereign States and their subsequent implementation of conservation and management decisions. This requires that all parties have the capacity and agency to determine their own national interest, and participate effectively in a negotiation. Cooperation must consider history and context when negotiating conservation and management proposals. International relations occur within a geo-political, institutional, economic and trade context that has been formed by centuries of colonialism, capitalism and power disparities. Ignoring this does not make it go away. Failure to consider this history and context ignores ongoing inequities, marginalises development aspirations, undermines legitimacy, deters participation and subsequent implementation, and contradicts international development commitments.Ocean Equity Research looks towards long term shared interests, and explore collective and innovative solutions that avoid a disproportionate burden on developing States, and ensure the long term sustainability of the fishery. We recognise that our international legal framework, and global commitments toward sustainable development, mean that sustainability and equity are intrinsically linked and mandated by our international institutions. Equity and sustainability cannot be separated from each other. An inequitable outcome is unsustainable, while unsustainable exploitation is inequitable for current and future generations. Our program researches equity and cooperation within this international sphere, exposing inequities at systemic and institutional levels, and developing solutions and capacity building programs that build agency and strategic engagement. 
Recent Publications
Insights into the 29th Annual Meeting of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission
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.
Building the skills of the next generation of Pacific fisheries managers
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.
Governing the Ocean with a new Biodiversity Treaty: Can it set a new stage for how we value marine life?
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.