Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
plans, and instruments underpinning the work of the RFMOs.
Chapter 2
presents a com-
prehensive review of such governance regimes.
Gaps both in the global as well as regional regimes have been documented. These in-
clude the limited reflection of modern governance principles (e.g. the ecosystem approach)
and of tools (e.g. environmental and strategic impact assessment procedures); lack of com-
pliance and enforcement mechanisms; lack of coverage of emerging issues such as biopro-
specting and ocean geo-engineering, and of issues not benefiting from specific attention in
the context of existing instruments, such as impacts of laying of cables and pipelines, of oil
and gas exploration, and exploitation activities on extended continental shelves; and lack
of coverage with respect to specific fish stocks at risk. Moreover, regional conventions re-
lated to the marine environment as well as the scope of RFMOs cover very limited portions
of areas beyond national jurisdiction.
