Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
As can be seen from the table, the regional seas conventions (with the exception of the
OSPARandBarcelona ConventionsandtheAntarctic Treaty)onlycoververylimited areas
beyond national jurisdiction. The map in
Figure 2.1
illustrates this point. In addition, while
these conventions generally contain provision forconservation tools suchasmarine protec-
ted areas and species protection measures, as well as for the control of pollution, not all of
them provide comprehensively for application of the ecosystem approach, nor monitoring
and assessment. Only the Antarctic Treaty has provisions for environmental impact assess-
ment. None of the conventions address all human uses, with bioprospecting and new and
emerging uses some of the most common gaps.
Figure 2.1
Area beyond national jurisdiction (in red) covered by Regional Seas Conventions. (
Map is for informa-
tion only and expresses no opinion on boundaries.
)
Regional fisheries management organizations and arrangements
Regional fisheries management conventions are generally administered by regional fish-
eries management organizations (RFMOs). While there are some 30 regional fishery bod-
ies, some of which have been established under the FAO Convention and some independ-
ently by states, there are approximately 15 RFMOs with full responsibility for agreement
on binding conservation and management measures. Most cover only areas beyond nation-
The scope of each RFMO's conservation responsibilities varies in accordance with the
associated convention. Some have competence over most or all marine living resources,
while others manage only a particular species. Some are mandated to develop measures
based on ecosystem and precautionary approaches, while others manage a target fishery
resource without consideration of ecosystem effects. In the former category there tend to
