Developing a bottom-up approach with performance indicators for ocean governance and sustainability in the fisheries sector for United Nations interagency cooperation

Abstract

Oceans provide sustainability for the planet and fisheries is a key sector operating in them, however the regulatory regime in regions such as the high seas is weak due to its lack of development and enforcement. Administrations may find difficult to combine different interests and cater for small communities while breaking ground in sustainability. This paper sets a bottom up approach for sustainability in fisheries after a consultation with Maritime Administrations from Africa, America and Oceania to set indicators to assist in the governance of the ocean in areas under the purview of FAO, ILO and IMO. These indicators were connected to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and when further adjusted via interagency cooperation may assist developing and develop countries, to measure sustainability in their territorial waters and exclusive economic zones, supporting governance at all levels. They have the potential to be expanded to the high seas and integrate a top down approach consistent with the work of the UN and its agencies to fight illegal unreported and unregulated fishing. It is also demonstrated that sustainability analysis in the current agendas of the UN Agencies is possible.