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.

Report of the First Project Steering Committee: Sustainable Management of Tuna Fisheries and Biodiversity Conservation in the ABNJ, Rome, Italy, June 11th, 2014.

FAO. 2014. Report of the Inception Workshop: Sustainable Management of Tuna Fisheries and Biodiversity Conservation in the ABNJ, Rome, Italy, 10–12 March 2014. Rome. 35 pp.

Official representatives from 18 countries participated in the first two workshops (22-24 April 2014) under the framework of the project "Sustainable Management of Tuna Fisheries and Biodiversity Conservation in the Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ)".

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