including supporting professional training for women in the fisheries sector, improving science-based management, protecting sharks, improving stock assessments, and
sustainably managing bycatch.
56
While the RFB Secretariats’ Network operates independently of the FAO, the
Chair of the network collaborates with the Secretary of the network who is an FAO
expert. In some respects, the current arrangement also allows for the FAO to extend
its sphere of expertise by providing a significant venue to share with fishery
governance leaders critical FAO experiences.
4 Conclusion
FAO has played three significant roles in the implementation of UNCLOS. First,
they have provided key technical and practical elaborations on concepts that are
embodied in UNCLOS but not defined. For example, FAO’s work on ecosystem
approaches to fisheries provides practical advice for States and fisheries organizations in implementing duties regarding not just target species but also species
“associated with and dependent on” target species. Second, the FAO has undertaken
to design creative solutions to sticky policy matters. In the arena of IUU fishing, the
FAO provided key support in developing the structure for a new port-based fisheries
enforcement process not explicitly contemplated by UNCLOS but supported by the
UNCLOS regime. The FAO has also creatively tried to assist with improving the
performances of flag states in the arena of fisheries enforcement- a notoriously
difficult problem with vessels registered to flags of convenience. Third, the FAO
through the COFI and through its ongoing efforts to facilitate regional fisheries
bodies has provided a key bridging role between States and fisheries-related intergovernmental organizations.
The FAO operates as a key contributor to the implementation of UNCLOS not
only by assisting States but also through its own efforts based on its delegated and
derivative powers. International civil servants working for FAO to support the
efforts of States to improve international fisheries management are contributing to
new normative frameworks. While recovery of marine fisheries stocks will be slow,
FAO’s continued investment into new enforcement ideas and collecting technical
knowledge about the status of fisheries should improve global fishing practices by
offering States viable alternatives to a world of emptying seas including large-scale
aquaculture to offset the existing pressure on marine resources to meet nutritional
needs.
Where will FAO exercise its derivative powers next to improve sustainability?
One possibility to build on the existing efforts of many States to enforce fisheries
violations would be to improve enforcement on the high seas. In 2018 and
56 Regional Fishery Body Secretariats’ Network. Available at http://www.fao.org/3/ca0133en/
CA0133EN.pdf (July 2018).
218
A. Telesetsky
sustainably managing bycatch.
56
While the RFB Secretariats’ Network operates independently of the FAO, the
Chair of the network collaborates with the Secretary of the network who is an FAO
expert. In some respects, the current arrangement also allows for the FAO to extend
its sphere of expertise by providing a significant venue to share with fishery
governance leaders critical FAO experiences.
4 Conclusion
FAO has played three significant roles in the implementation of UNCLOS. First,
they have provided key technical and practical elaborations on concepts that are
embodied in UNCLOS but not defined. For example, FAO’s work on ecosystem
approaches to fisheries provides practical advice for States and fisheries organizations in implementing duties regarding not just target species but also species
“associated with and dependent on” target species. Second, the FAO has undertaken
to design creative solutions to sticky policy matters. In the arena of IUU fishing, the
FAO provided key support in developing the structure for a new port-based fisheries
enforcement process not explicitly contemplated by UNCLOS but supported by the
UNCLOS regime. The FAO has also creatively tried to assist with improving the
performances of flag states in the arena of fisheries enforcement- a notoriously
difficult problem with vessels registered to flags of convenience. Third, the FAO
through the COFI and through its ongoing efforts to facilitate regional fisheries
bodies has provided a key bridging role between States and fisheries-related intergovernmental organizations.
The FAO operates as a key contributor to the implementation of UNCLOS not
only by assisting States but also through its own efforts based on its delegated and
derivative powers. International civil servants working for FAO to support the
efforts of States to improve international fisheries management are contributing to
new normative frameworks. While recovery of marine fisheries stocks will be slow,
FAO’s continued investment into new enforcement ideas and collecting technical
knowledge about the status of fisheries should improve global fishing practices by
offering States viable alternatives to a world of emptying seas including large-scale
aquaculture to offset the existing pressure on marine resources to meet nutritional
needs.
Where will FAO exercise its derivative powers next to improve sustainability?
One possibility to build on the existing efforts of many States to enforce fisheries
violations would be to improve enforcement on the high seas. In 2018 and
56 Regional Fishery Body Secretariats’ Network. Available at http://www.fao.org/3/ca0133en/
CA0133EN.pdf (July 2018).
218
A. Telesetsky