Science-based solutions and strong partnerships take centre stage at COFI37

The Common Oceans Program and its partners brought solutions and field-tested experience to the Thirty‑seventh Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI37), contributing to discussions on sustainable fisheries management, cross‑sectoral collaboration and the governance of ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction.

As FAO’s global intergovernmental forum on fisheries and aquaculture, COFI brings together FAO Members, observers, policymakers, experts and partners to address emerging challenges and help shape the future direction of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. The inter-governmental body meets in formal plenary sessions, complemented by side events and Speaker’s Corner talks, where partners can spotlight specific issues, share technical work and exchange views.

“COFI is where global fisheries governance comes together,” FAO Common Oceans Program Coordinator Viktoria Varga Lencses said. “It’s essential that we show that science‑based solutions and partnerships are delivering real impact for countries.”

Throughout COFI37, the Common Oceans Program showcased practical tools, science‑based approaches and lessons from areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), bringing project partners and country representatives together to share insights. The discussions highlighted global policy commitments can be translated into practice, from stronger governance and improved monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) to the sustainable use of marine resources in ABNJ.

Electronic Monitoring gains traction in tuna fisheries

The week opened with a Speaker’s Corner talk on accelerating Electronic Monitoring (EM) in tuna fisheries, organized by Common Oceans Tuna Project partner, the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF). The discussion reflected a key issue on the COFI37 agenda: how technology can strengthen fisheries monitoring, improve compliance and generate scientific data.

The Tuna Project Manager, Joe Zelasney, stated that the project is supporting EM uptake through capacity development and practical guidance that advances harmonized approaches to EM implementation, while recognizing the need for standards that are adaptable to diverse national circumstances and fishery types. Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) Executive Secretary Paul de Bruyn noted that EM frameworks are now in place across all five tuna regional fisheries management organizations, highlighting growing momentum for broader uptake.

Sharing national experience, Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Fisheries Authority (SFA) Jan Robinson reported 100 percent EM coverage across the country’s 15 purse-seine vessels, with expansion underway in the longline fleet.

Looking ahead, speakers stressed the need for greater consistency in EM requirements across regions, increased support for technology transfer and continued collaboration among governments, industry and regional fisheries bodies, to enable wider and more effective implementation.

These priorities were closely aligned with the outcomes from COFI37. The Committee called on Members to further enhance monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) regimes, especially in areas beyond national jurisdiction and encouraged greater use of electronic monitoring, where appropriate to improve fisheries monitoring, compliance, and collection of scientific data.

Deep‑sea fisheries lessons for ABNJ governance

A Speaker’s Corner talk organized by the Common Oceans Deep-sea Fisheries Project explored how cross-sectoral cooperation can help address the complex governance landscape in ABNJ.

Drawing on a recent Common Oceans Program workshop that brought together governments, regional fisheries bodies, industry, NGOs and international organizations, Deep-sea Fisheries Project manager Eszter Hidas emphasized the need to break down institutional silos and sustain investment in dialogue, joint research and collaborative solutions.

The issue is particularly relevant in ABNJ, where fisheries and biodiversity conservation involve multiple organizations with different but interconnected mandates.

Providing a real-world example, the Executive Secretary of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) Darius Campbell highlighted the NEAFC/OSPAR Collective Arrangement, a pioneering framework that enables fisheries and environmental organizations to coordinate measures, share information and address common challenges in ABNJ while respecting their distinct mandates.

Cross-sectoral interactions with deep-sea fisheries in ABNJ Speaker's Corner: Eszter Hidas, Common Oceans Deep-sea Fisheries project; Darius Campbell, Executive Secretary, North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission. ©FAO/Giulio Napolitano

MSC partners highlight recovery through certification

In another talk, Tuna Project partner the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) discussed how  collaboration and certification can support more sustainable fisheries and generate benefits for fishing communities. Today, MSC-certified fisheries account for 15.3 million tonnes of catch, with MSC engagement extending to approximately one-fifth of global marine catch and 65 percent of the world's major commercial tuna species.

Portugal's Secretary of State for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Salvador Malheiro highlighted the recovery of the Iberian sardine fishery as an example of science-based management supporting recovery and economic value. After MSC certification in 2025, the fishery, which includes 317 vessels, recorded a 37 percent increase in the value of landings. The value rose from just over €30 million to almost €42 million, despite lower catch volumes.

“The Iberian sardine shows that recovery is possible,” Salvador Malheiro said. “It shows that cooperation works. And it shows that sustainability can create value across the entire seafood chain.”

COFI@60 exhibition: Common Oceans Tuna project innovations designed to help reduce bycatch in tuna fishing: scale model of a purse-seine deck and acoustic buoy. ©FAO/Giulio Napolitano

Acoustic buoy. ©FAO/Giulio Napolitano

Beyond the conference room

Beyond the formal programme, Common Oceans participated in a networking gathering on women's leadership in the Blue Economy and contributed to the COFI@60 exhibition with innovations designed to help reduce by catch in tuna fishing, showcasing an acoustic buoy and a scale model of a purse-seine deck.

Looking ahead

From electronic monitoring and fisheries certification to biodiversity conservation and ocean governance, COFI37 showed how science, collaboration and practical solutions can help address challenges in fisheries and ocean governance. Throughout the week, the Common Oceans Program and its partners demonstrated how global priorities can be applied across regions, sectors and fisheries, particularly in the vast ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction where effective partnership and cooperation are essential.

Learn more:

• www.fao.org/cofi/en
• Global dialogue on the future of fisheries and aquaculture wraps up
• Video: Every Catch Counts: Seven Steps for Better Tuna Handling
• Video: Deep-Sea Sharks: Discovering Life in the Ocean's Depths | Common Oceans Program