Deep-sea fisheries take place between depths of 200 and 2 000 meters, targeting demersal species on continental shelves, seamounts and ocean ridges using bottom and deep mid-water trawls, gillnets, longlines and pots.

They are an important source of employment, livelihoods and nutrition. Yet, overfishing and resulting stock depletion pose a major threat to deep-sea species, while impacts on the ecosystem, especially by bottom trawls, are a cause of environmental concern.

The Common Oceans Program aims to make deep-sea fisheries more sustainable, focussing on data-poor stocks, deepwater sharks and vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs).

From 2014-2019, it helped establish and protect VMEs in 18 new areas with a large coalition of partners – including the eight regional fisheries bodies responsible for the management of deep-sea fisheries, Regional Seas Programmes, fishing industry partners and international organizations.

In the years ahead, the Program will continue to promote science-based advice to strengthen regulatory frameworks, improve deep-sea fisheries management and reduce its impact on the environment and biodiversity.

Strengthen and implement regulatory frameworks

Promote adoption and compliance with international fisheries obligations to improve management of deep-sea fish stocks and reduce impacts on bycatch species in over 3 billion hectares of marine habitats – about 3 times the size of Europe. 

Improve deep-sea fisheries management 

Support science-based fisheries management by improved catch monitoring and reporting to ensure that an additional 25 % of deep-sea stocks – around 50 000 tonnes of catch – come from sustainably managed stocks by 2027.

Reduce environmental impact 

Improve measures to protect Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VME) from the impact of bottom fishing on 42 million hectares – 35 % of the total VME areas – currently closed to bottom fisheries.

Promote effective deep-water shark conservation measures.