Report of the second workshop for tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) on the Ecosystems Approach too Fisheries Management (EAFM) organized in September 2019.

This report describes the observations of the reporting officer aboard the FV Will Watch during a trip in June–July 2009 (Trip 36). The 49-day trip primarily involved bottom trawling for orange roughy around Walters Shoal in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) in the southwestern Indian Ocean. This report documents relevant information on operational issues related to aimed trawling, specific issues in this fishery, the potential for further collaboration with the deep-sea fishing industry in this region, as well as an overview of the fishery that is relevant to current and future policy.

The oceans are essential to life on earth. Yet, marine life is at risk from increasing pressure caused by overfishing, pollution and climate change. The Common Oceans Program is a global alliance for action in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), supporting efforts to keep the oceans healthy through the sustainable management of marine resources and the conservation of biodiversity.

Strong demand for tuna brings economic benefits, food and jobs to millions of people, but also puts a lot of pressure on tuna stocks. The Common Oceans Tuna project aims to ensure that tunas are fished more sustainably by mobilizing a global partnership in support of responsible tuna fisheries management and the conservation of biodiversity in the ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ).

Deep-sea fisheries bring economic benefits and are an important source of employment, livelihoods and nutrition. Yet, stock depletion is a major challenge while impacts on ecosystems raise environmental concerns. The Common Oceans Deep-sea fisheries project is committed to making deep-sea fisheries in the ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) more sustainable and reducing their ecological footprint.