French actor, producer and activist, Lambert Wilson who played Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau in the movie The Odyssey, shares a message about the Common Oceans – marine areas beyond national jurisdiction – and why these areas are important. Now, and for future generations.

The marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) - our Common Oceans - include some highly complex ecosystems, which are subject to negative impacts from a variety of sectors including shipping, pollution and illegal fishing. Addressing such impacts is compounded by problems in coordinating, disseminating and building capacity for best practices and in capitalizing on successful experiences – especially those related to the management of fisheries in ABNJ.

The high seas represent nearly 50% of the planet's surface, and the health of our planet depends on the state of the ocean. In June 2018, the Nausicaa Centre National de la Mer organised the 1st International Meeting of the High Seas, with support provided by the Common Oceans ABNJ Capacity Project.

Common Oceans Facts

Oceans are home to ecosystems and biodiversity that are of great importance to ecology, culture and the livelihoods of millions of people. But with some 64 percent of the oceans’ surface consisting of areas that lie beyond the national jurisdiction (ABNJ), effective management of fisheries and conservation of biodiversity in these areas pose a serious challenge. ABNJ have risen to the top of the global ocean agenda and are being discussed at the highest governmental levels. But a concerted international effort is still needed to translate agreed principles into strong global and regional policies that guarantee the protection of these valuable areas.