Representatives of 11 deep-sea fishing industry bodies met at the FAO Headquarters in Rome, from 2-4 March 2016, to exchange information and opinions on the forthcoming UN General Assembly (UNGA) review of deep-sea fisheries. The meeting was organized by the industry associations and was acilitated by the ABNJ Deep Seas Project. The meeting commenced with presentations on a range of matters affecting deep seas fishing. Discussions followed on strategies to address the international concerns about deep-sea fishing, what information the industry would like to contribute to the UNGA review, and the best ways to communicate this information. An outline of possible submission content was discussed by the meeting participants and this was provided to industry representatives for further development.

The combined Inception and first Project Steering Committee meeting of the ABNJ Deep Seas Project Steering Committee (PSC) was held in Rome, Italy from 15-16 December 2015.

Report of the ABNJ Deep Seas Project Deep Seas Fishing Industry Meeting, 2-4 March 2016, Vigo, Spain

The annual International Coalition of Fisheries Associations (ICFA) meeting was held in Vigo, Spain on 6 October 2015. Given the congregation of industry members, the Coordinator of the ABNJ Deep Seas Project travelled to Vigo to lead a two hour planning meeting for a future, Project supported, Global Deep Sea Fishing Industry Symposium; and obtain a first-hand introduction to industry’s perspective on challenges being faced by industry and implementing the DSF guidelines in particular.

A two–day partners workshop on the ABNJ Deep Seas Project (Sustainable Fisheries Management and Biodiversity  Conservation of Deep–sea Living Marine Resources and Ecosystems in the Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction) was held on 5–6 June at FAO