1. Merete Tandstad FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department Rome, Italy
FAO in the framework of Integrated Regional Ocean Policy
Merete Tandstad FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department Rome, Italy
Good morning everybody. My name is Merete Tandstad and I work with the Marine and Inland Fisheries group of the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department
Today I’m pleased to talk about some of FAOs work in fisheries that I hope will be informative to your discussion on ocean governance
Please turn slide
CCPS CPPS Workshop on Integrated Regional Oceanic Policy
Bogota, Colombia, 28 to 30 October, 2015

2. Outline
FAO’s Fishery and Aquaculture Department and the importance of Fish and Fisheries
Fisheries instruments and processes
The Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries- EAF
Fisheries Management and Regional Fishery Bodies
Concluding remarks
In my presentation I will try to cover the following elements:
Introduction to the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department vision and mission, and highlight the importance of fish and fisheries in a global context
Provide a snap shot of some Fisheries instruments and processes
Explain some of the key elements of EAF
And the role of regional fisheries bodies
And finally end up with some concluding remarks

3. FAO’s Fishery and Aquaculture Department and the importance of Fish and Fisheries

4. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department
Vision: A world in which responsible and sustainable use of fisheries and aquaculture resources makes an appreciable contribution to human well-being, food security and poverty alleviation.
Mission: To strengthen global governance and the managerial and technical capacities of members and to lead consensus-building towards improved conservation and utilization of aquatic resources.
FAOs role in global and regional governance, with focus on fisheries
FAO is the UN agency charged with addressing food and agriculture issues, and the mandated UN agency for fisheries;
Overall FAO promotes good practice in addressing governance challenges across its Strategic Objectives by strengthening its contribution to global governance, identifying mission-critical governance issues at national, regional and multilateral levels, strengthening staff capacity to support improved governance and monitoring and evaluating its interventions assessing its experiences for lessons learnt with a view to build our governance-support capacities.
As such the vision of the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department is shown on this slide:

5. FISH AS FOOD Important source of animal protein
Fish provides significant micro-nutrients, minerals, and essential fatty acids
A critical safety net for vulnerable households
Fisheries are an important source of food and human well-being
In many parts of the developing world, fish represent the single most important source of animal protein. For 1 billion people, fish contributes at least 30% of animal protein intake. For 2.9 billion people fish contributes at least 15 % of animal protein intake
Fish provides significant micro-nutrients, minerals, and essential fatty acids, of special importance in child-development
Small-scale fisheries can provide a critical safety net for vulnerable households in times of sudden declines in income due to job loss, failure in agricultural crops, or deterioration of the economy

6. Socio economic importance of fish and seafood
Fish is among the most traded food commodities worldwide- worth almost US$130 mill (2012)
Developing economies account for approximately 54% world exports by value
People involved in fisheries and aquaculture: 58.3 mill (2012)
Account for 10-12% livelihoods world population
Importance of Fish as contributor to economy and employment
Fish is among the most traded food commodities worldwide. Fishery trade has expanded considerably in recent decades, as the fisheries sector operates in an
increasingly globalized environment.
The way fishery products are prepared, marketed and delivered to consumers has changed significantly, and commodities may well cross national boundaries several times before final consumption. Fish can be produced in
one country, processed in a second and consumed in a third. In 2012, about 200 countries reported exports of fish and fishery products.
The role of fishery trade varies among countries and is important for manyeconomies, especially for developing nations.
Next to the faster rate of trade growth, perhaps the most important change in trade patterns in recent years has been the increased share of developing countries in
fisheries trade, and the corresponding decline in the share of developed economies (Figure 19). Developing economies, whose exports represented just 34 percent of world
trade in 1982, saw their share rise to 54 percent of total fishery export value by In the same year, their exports represented more than 60 percent of the quantity (live
weight) of total fishery exports. For many developing nations, fish trade represents a significant source of foreign currency earnings, in addition to the sector’s important
role in income generation, employment, food security and nutrition.
Their fishery net-export revenues (exports minus imports) reached US$35.3 billion in 2012, higher than other major agricultural commodities (Figure 20). In 2012, LIFDCs accounted
for 9 percent of world fishery exports in value terms, with their net exports reaching US$6.2 billion.

7. The fishery sector is dependent on healthy aquatic ecosystems
Fishery is the last major food-producing sector directly harvesting natural resources
The fishery sector is dependent on healthy aquatic ecosystems
Fishery is the last major food-producing sector directly harvesting natural resources
The fishery sector is dependent on healthy aquatic ecosystems
FAO and the fisheries sector in general is aware about this matter and thus FAO therefore promotes interaction and collaboration between competent organizations within their mandate at different levels (national, regional and global) in order to ensure improved governance and sustainable management
Many of the international, regional frameworks and instruments for fisheries are designed with this in mind,

8. Fisheries Instruments and Processes

9. Binding Legal Instruments
The 1995 United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement
The 1993 FAO Compliance Agreement
2009 FAO Agreement on Port State Measures
CBD, CITES, CMS..
UNCLOS
This slide and the next shows some of the legally binding and voluntary instruments of relevance to the fisheries sector. Some or sector specific, developed specifically for the sector, whereas others such as CBD, CITES, and CMS are developed outside a fisheries context, but recognize relationship and role of fisheries so as not conflict.
UNCLOS ( , 165 parties)
Sets out responsibilities and rights of States in oceans
Defines maritime zones (notably EEZ)
Deals with: fishing, shipping, deep-sea bed mining
Addresses protection of the marine environment
Integrative approach
In relation to fisheries, lies prime responsibilities for managing and conserving living marine resources on HIGH SEAS with flag States and provides obligation to work together with relevant States to take C&M measures. ESTABLISH Regional fisheries organziations to this end. (art. 118)
In relation to straddling stock and highly migratory species, similar obligation (art. 63/64)
UNFSA ( / 80)
Long term conservation and sustainable use of SS and HMS
Apply measures based on EAF and precautionary approach
Protect biodiversity, minmize pollution, etc.
Compatibility of measures in EEZ and high seas
Cooperation through RFMOs
Responsibilities of RFMOs (data collection, scientific research, management measures, etc.)
Transparency in decision making
States not memeber must ensure compliance with CM measures by their vessels
Flag state responsibiliites (also in relation to enforcement)
Enforced by RFMO cooperation – boarding and inspection
Port State measures
Special assistance to developing states
Compliance agreement – ( /39) agreement to promote compliance with international C&M measures by fishing vessels on the high seas:
High seas fishing
Emphasizes flag State responsibility
Flag State obligation to register and authorize all high seas vessels
Exchange of information on high seas fishing vessels (within region and with FAO)
UNFSA
Implementing the UNCLOS provisions on SS and HMS in ABNJ
Precautionary approach to fisheries and EAF
RFMOs central in inter-governmental cooperation on C&M and enforcement:
Boarding and inspection in RFMO competence areas
Compliance through flag State, port State measures
Port State Measure Agreement
Based on jurisdiction over internal waters (ports) to enforce international C&M measures on foreign flagged vessels to:
deny port entry/landing/transhipment if sufficient proof of IUU activities
carry out port inspections
transmit inspection report to flag State and other relevant States
investigate and take enforcement action;

10. UNGA resolutions, CBD guidelines, etc.
Non-binding instruments
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR RESPONSIBLE FISHERIES
International Plan’s of Action IPOAs
FAO Technical Guidelines
FAO International
Guidelines
Seabirds
Sharks
Capacity
IUU Fishing
Code of conduct negotiated in 1995 and sets the framework for a series of sets other Voluntary instruments of different nature:
IPOAs, Technical guidelines or international guidelines.
The latter are negotiated guidelines on for example ecolabeling, deep-sea fisheries and the management of bycatch and reduction of discards.. To mention some
this slide shows a few of these the available instruments relevant to sustainable fisheries [and biodiversity conservation], and FAO has been instrumental in either developing or negotiating these instruments.
The process of development are participatory and inclusive, such as for example one of the most recent ones in relation to Small scale Fisheries (not shown here) and integrative such as the Tenure Guidelines
Under the Technical Guidelines series one also finds the Guidelines in relation to the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries that we will talk about next
UNGA resolutions, CBD guidelines, etc.

11. Fisheries Management and the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries

12. Fisheries Management
The integrated process of information gathering, analysis, planning, consultation, decision-making, allocation of resources and formulation and implementation, with enforcement as necessary, of regulations or rules which govern fisheries activities in order to ensure the continued productivity of the resources and the accomplishment of other fishery objectives
Fisheries management requires a series of coordinated actions and at the same time it is a is a combination of the human, ecological and technical efforts used to Managing the humans and their activities, not fish, to ensure that the resources and the ecosystems will continue to produce the bounties from the seas- Fisheries management thus covers a complex cycle of events.
Recognizing that ineffective management practices are extremely costly, both in terms of ecological and socio-economic damage.

13. WHAT IS EAF?
The main purpose of the EAF is to plan, develop and manage fisheries in a manner that addresses the multiple needs and desires of societies, without jeopardizing the options for future generations to benefit from the full range of goods and services provided by marine ecosystems.
EAF tries to strike a sustainable balance between human benefits and ecosystem health, noting that in the long run maximum human benefits can only be obtained if natural resources are maintained and impacts controlled
EAF recognize that we must deal with ecological, social & economic implications of our management of human activities. It covers the direct and indirect impacts of these activities plus external impacts on the fishery.
The EAF– stresses holistic, integrated and participatory processes.
As we will see later on, EAF is aligned with the more general EA but bounded by the ability to implement the approach within the context of fisheries management.

14. Key features of the EAF principles in practice
Apply the precautionary approach
Use best available knowledge
Acknowledge multiple objectives and values of ecosystem services
Embrace adaptive management
Broaden stakeholder participation
Understand and use full suite of management measures
Promote sectoral integration and interdisciplinarity
Principles
The EAF framework reorganizes principles of sustainability that although already present in existing international instruments, had been largely neglected by policy and management levels. The EAF can be considered as an attempt to build a bridge between those commitments and their actual implementation.
Key characteristics of the EAF as promoted by FAO includes:
it is participatory
• it is comprehensive: it ensures that all key components of the fishery system are taken into consideration, while also taking into account external drivers
• it encourages use of the ‘best available knowledge’ in decision-making
• it promotes the adoption of an adaptive management system
• it evolves from existing fisheries management institutions and practices. 14

15. The three pillars of EAF
Fishery
Ecological
Wellbeing
Human
Wellbeing
Ability to Achieve
Retained
Community
Governance
Non Retained
National
External drivers
I wanted to show you one of the key tools – the hierarchical tree- Using this tool all the relevant issues (assets, outcomes, systems and drivers) associated with the fishery across each of the EAF components (ecological wellbeing, human wellbeing and ability to achieve).
Ecosystem Wellbeing - All ecological ‘assets’ (e.g. stocks, habitats, ecosystems) relevant to the fishery and the issues/impacts being generated by the fishery that may be affecting them.
Human Wellbeing - The social and/or economic ‘outcomes’ currently being generated by the fishery both the good-those outcomes the community wants to have generated (e.g. food security, economic development), and the bad–those it wants to avoid (e.g. conflicts; injuries).
Ability to Achieve - The management and institutional ‘systems’ in place or proposed to deliver the wanted outcomes (e.g. access and tenure systems, compliance, democratic processes, conflict resolution), along with the external ‘drivers’ (not controlled by the fishery) which may be affecting performance.
These are the 7 key areas that need to be examined for each management system.
General
Ecosystem

16. Types of Issues
MANAGE - These come under your direct legislative responsibility. You can generate regulations/management plans etc to deal with these issues. The agency must take full responsibility for these issues
INFLUENCE - These issues are not under your legislative responsibility so you cannot manage them, but as they are under other legislative responsibility (e.g. another agency) you can influence them
REACT TO - These issues are generated by external environment - you cannot manage or influence them. You need to be ready to deal with these issues (e.g. natural changes in the oceanography, changes in currency exchange, market prices, fuel prices) as much as possible
Typically there are many issues to reflect and that all might merit attention: There are 3 different types of issues, and it will be very important to identify which category each issues falls into. There are issues we MANAGE, issues we INFLUENCE, and issues we have to just DEAL WITH. The management plan we will develop will only directly deal with the issues we manage, and may include provisions for issues we can influence. The EAF process thus also tries to assist in categorizing issues into the different categories to ensure that appropriate action is taken.

17. EAF as a sectoral approach
Harmonizes the fishery sector policy with national/regional sustainability goals and intentions
Implements the above policies in fisheries
Makes sure required links are made with other sectors, where relevant
Examples: EAF, EBFM

18. Multi-(cross-)sectoral Sectoral
(e.g.EBM,, LMEs, and others)
Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries and to Aquaculture
Ecosystem Approach to Tourism
Ecosystem Approach to energy and oil
Develops integrated plans for a given region/ecosystem
Sets common conservation and development objectives
This is to show the relationship between cross-sectoral vs sectoral approaches (e.g EBM vs EAF);
And to show that they are mutually enforcing and that one does not exclude the other
OTHERS
Each sector is managed in a way that is consistent with overall principles and broad objectives set for the given region

19. Fisheries Management and Regional Fishery Bodies

20. Regional Fishery Bodies
RFBs - Regional Fishery Bodies (RFBs) are a mechanism through which States or organizations that are parties to an international fishery agreement or ("agreement" is fundamental, and different from arrangement) arrangement work together towards the conservation, management and/or development of fisheries.
Some RFBs have an advisory mandate, and provide advice, decisions or coordinating mechanisms that are not binding on their members.
RFMOs – These are RFBs have a management mandate. They adopt fisheries conservation and management measures that are binding on their members.
Regional Fishery Bodies (RFB) – a group of States or organizations that are parties to an international fishery arrangement – work together towards the conservation and management of fish stocks.
RFB can play a critical role in promoting longterm sustainable fisheries where international cooperation is required in conservation and management.
FAO, in recognizing that such collaboration is crucial in order to accomplish the goal of responsible and sustainable fisheries, fosters and promotes the work of RFB.
The mandates of RFBs vary. Some RFBs have an advisory mandate, and provide advice, decisions or coordinating mechanisms that are not binding on their members. Some RFBs have a management mandate – these are called Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs). They adopt fisheries conservation and management measures that are binding on their members.
There are a number of global processes and bodies that affect fisheries in ABNJ: UNGA, COFI, CBD COP, etc.

21. RFMOs Specific Species RFMOs and Arrangements
Fisheries management bodies are shown on this slide
Deep-sea RFMOs and Arrangements

22. Advisory RFBs Advisory RFBs and Arrangements
Many of the Regional fisheries bodies are advisory in nature, and do not have a management mandate as such
The functions of RFBs also vary. They can include the collection, analysis and dissemination of information and data, coordinating fisheries management through joint schemes and mechanisms, serving as a technical and policy forum, and taking decisions relating to the conservation, management, development and responsible use of the resources.
The difference between a "regional fishery body" and a "regional fishery arrangement" is that the former has established a Secretariat that operates under a governing body of member States and the latter does not have.
SOME bodies are under the asupices of FAO- such as for example the GFCM for the Med, WECAFC for the Caribbean, CECAF in the Eastern Central Atlantic and SWIOFC in the Western Indian Ocean
FAO also provides the venue and secretariat services to the RSN Network meetings. They meet every second year at the marge of COFI.
FAO Article VI & XIV Bodies

23. Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs)
Commission
Secretariat
RFMO Competence Area
Conservation and management measures
Scientific committee
Compliance committee
Example structure of an RFMO

24. FAO and RFBs FAO has committed to: Through:
provide its technical and administrative support to its own RFB to strengthening their effectiveness
promote collaboration and consultation among all RFB or arrangements on matters of common concern
Through:
facilitating meetings of RFB; implementation by RFBs of sustainable policies and practices and the effective implementation of the post- UNCED instruments (including cooperation between RFB and FAO programmes) issues relating to reporting on status and trends of fisheries, reporting to, and liaising with, the United Nations and other international and regional organizations regarding collecting and disseminating information
FAO is also involved in the process of establishing new RFB
FAO has a global mandate to promote and, when appropriate, to recommend national and international action pertaining, inter alia, to fisheries research, conservation and management, and development.
Recognizing the critical role of Regional Fishery Bodies (RFB) for promoting longterm sustainable fisheries where international cooperation is required in conservation and management, FAO has committed:
to provide its technical and administrative support to its own RFB with a view to strengthening their effectiveness
to promote collaboration and consultation among all RFB or arrangements on matters of common concern
This also consists of:
facilitating meetings of RFB
implementation by RFB of sustainable policies and practices and the effective implementation of the post-UNCED instruments (including cooperation between RFB and FAO programmes) issues relating to reporting on status and trends of fisheries
reporting to, and liaising with, the United Nations and other international and regional organizations regarding collecting and disseminating information
Three categories of RFB - in terms of institutional relationship with FAO:
Established under FAO's constitution – There are two types of RFB in this category, those established based on Article VI of the FAO Constitution and those established based on Article XIV. The differences are mainly in terms of finance, mandate and autonomy whereby Article XIV bodies (such as APFIC, GFCM, IOTC and RECOFI) are more autonomous than the Article VI bodies (such as CECAF, CIFFA, WECAFC, COPESCAL).
Established outside the FAO framework but with FAO depository functions – This means that the Director-General of FAO exercises depositary functions for organizations such as ICCAT, NACA, COMHAFAT, LVFO, SEAFO and SIOFA.
Established outside FAO's framework – FAO closely monitors these RFB due to their importance in global and regional fisheries governance. FAO normally sends its staff to annual meetings of those organizations (such as NAFO, NEAFC, WCPFC, IATTC and CCAMLR).
Another broad tool or process that has outcomes relevant to the reduction of fisheries impact on the ecosystems is the review process that RFMO have been undergoing.
Regional Fishery Bodies (RFB) are the critical vehicles for promoting long-term sustainable fisheries where international cooperation is required in conservation and management. the international community has focused on the need to strengthen RFBs -- in particular the RFMOs. Many RFMOs are taking steps to strengthen governance through implementing the ecosystem approach to fisheries and adopting the precautionary approach.
In other fora, parties have advocated a strengthening of their role and modernization of their operation by urging RFMOs to fill in gaps in their mandates to include ecosystem and biodiversity considerations, the precautionary approach, strengthen integration, coordination and cooperation with regional seas arrangements and other relevant organizations. In 2005, A UNGA resolution then encouraged RFMOS to undertake a review process.

25. Concluding remarks
FAO promotes the implementation of good governance, collaboration and sustainable management and use at different levels:
Development of global normative and policy guidance
Support integration and implementation of global normative and policy documents into national and regional processes including capacity building
Promote holistic, integrative and participatory approaches and processes (e.g. EAF)
Support mandated organizations such as RFBs to adopt, integrate and implement best practice approaches and measures including global normative and policy frameworks
Provides global neutral forum and facilitate discussion between countries and relevant stakeholders and between fisheries and other sectors at different scales on cross cutting issues
Depending what you area you focus on- there might be issues of jurisdiction