FAO Common Oceans Program highlights the central role of science in BBNJ implementation at Rio Symposium

Rio de Janeiro, 11 March 2026 

As the international community prepares for the implementation of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, the FAO Common Oceans Program has underscored the key role of science, technology, and capacity development in turning policy into action.

During the 3rd BBNJ Symposium in Rio de Janeiro, the Common Oceans Program coordinator Viktoria Varga Lencses highlighted how practical, science-based approaches can support countries and regional bodies, as they prepare for the operational phase of the BBNJ Agreement and the role of fisheries bodies in implementation.

The Symposium brought together scientists, and representatives of governments, civil society, and international organizations for the event, which took place after the treaty entered into force on 17 January 2026 and before the next BBNJ preparatory committee in April 2026 in New York.

During a panel focused on the theme of Implementation, Compliance and Enforcement, the Senior Fishery Officer showcased practical examples from FAO work and emphasized: “Scientific work, and science-based approaches have guided FAOs work in the ABNJ for more than 20 years. Science is the backbone for effective and fair compliance. We need robust scientific data systems to enable transparency, cooperation, and accountability.”

Key messages for BBNJ implementation

Varga Lencses highlighted that strong independent data helps enable countries and regional bodies to detect trends, assess risks, and verify information. To improve standards, she said, FAO helps countries to use common reporting formats, shared definitions, and agreed methods.

She also highlighted FAO’s digital tools, including FishInfo, FishStat, and the Fisheries and Resources Monitoring System (FRMS), which turn raw data into actionable information and help reduce capacity gaps by giving all countries access to the same scientific resources. FAO’s technical guidelines further support countries with structured methods to estimate IUU fishing, assess risks, and evaluate governance systems, she added.

As a practical example of science and compliance working hand in hand, the Senior Fishery Officer pointed to the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) and its global information exchange system, which enables parties to share vessel records, inspection results, and follow-up actions in a standardized way. This ensures that decisions on port entry or inspections are informed by reliable, shared information.

But digital tools alone are not enough, Varga Lencses noted. “FAO invests heavily in capacity development. We do trainings, workshops, e‑learning, and hands‑on support,” she stressed, ensuring that countries can apply scientific information in decision‑making and compliance processes.

The Senior Fishery Officer concluded by reaffirming that existing tools and experiences offer valuable guidance for supporting the BBNJ Agreement, as states prepare for the next phase of implementation. “There are already practical examples such as the PSMA, which show how science and compliance can reinforce each other,” she observed. “And this can offer some lessons for the BBNJ agreement.”

Advancing science and data

Early in her discussion, Varga Lencses observed that an emphasis on practical, science-based solutions also underpins the Common Oceans Program. In fact, the Program’s Tuna and Deep-Sea Fisheries (DSF) projects are contributing to the scientific basis needed for the sustainable use and conservation of marine biodiversity in ABNJ. The Tuna Project has strengthened ecosystem approaches to fisheries management and climate readiness , and advanced management procedures across tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs). These efforts have informed management decision‑making and enhanced understanding of tuna stock dynamics and ecosystem interactions.

The DSF Project is generating new knowledge on deep-sea ecosystems, including mapping of vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs), refining assessment methodologies for data-limited stocks, and improving data on deep-sea sharks and bottom fishing footprints.

Both projects are also promoting ecosystem-based approaches and encouraging the inclusion of biodiversity considerations into fisheries management. The Tuna Project has supported ecological risk assessments and bycatch mitigation for sharks, seabirds, and sea turtles. The DSF Project is supporting RFMOs to adopt and implement measures to reduce bottom-fishing impacts and apply precautionary and ecosystem approaches to the management of deep-sea fisheries, including considering cross-sectoral and climate change impacts.

Capacity development remains central. Across regions, the Tuna Project has trained national scientists and managers in stock assessment, compliance monitoring, and ecosystem-based management, while supporting developing states’ participation in RFMO processes.

The DSF Project has delivered targeted training on international ocean governance and fisheries monitoring, enabling countries to better implement international deep-sea management measures.

Parallel Progress: RFMOs Support Cooperation and Readiness for the BBNJ Agreement

In parallel, tuna RFMOs have advanced initiatives that support cooperative and coherent implementation of the BBNJ Agreement. In 2025, the Secretariats of the five tuna RFMOs issued a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to supporting BBNJ implementation, while individual RFMOs have also taken steps to prepare for the new governance landscape. The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) adopted a resolution aimed at supporting BBNJ implementation and strengthening cooperation grounded in scientific advice, while the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) submitted a working paper outlining its governance measures and reinforcing the need for effective engagement with BBNJ processes.

Looking ahead

Varga Lencses suggests that implementation of the BBNJ Agreement offers an opportunity to build on these foundations. “The work of the Common Oceans Program shows that high‑quality scientific data can be generated and shared across regions, that ecosystem‑based approaches can be integrated into fisheries management, and that investment in capacity building is essential for equitable participation in management of international waters,” she says.

“Together with the complementary efforts of tuna RFMOs, these successes provide a strong basis for enhancing cooperation among governments, RFMOs, international organizations, industry and other stakeholders to promote sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity in international waters.”