Crunch time for Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries: Precaution is essential

For the upcoming Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement Conference of the Parties, WWF has two clear messages: First, rules for commencing exploratory fishing in the high seas of the Central Arctic Ocean must be designed wisely, even if consensus takes longer. Second, it is important to first set aside the most sensitive parts of the Ocean, where even exploratory fishing activities might cause irreparable damage. Jan Dusík, WWF Global Arctic Programme’s Lead Governance Specialist, explains.

The Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean, also known as the Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement (CAOFA), will meet for its third Conference of Parties (COP3) in Incheon, Republic of Korea, between 10-12 June 2024.

WWF Global Arctic Programme will join the ten parties of the agreement as a long-standing observer. Since COP2 last year, WWF has actively engaged in numerous meetings, working groups and committees, and we continue to bring concrete insights and proposals with us to COP3.

Not rushing

The most significant result of the upcoming conference should be the adoption of rules for exploratory fishing in the Central Arctic Ocean, so called conservation and management measures (CMMs). CAOFA has set a deadline for adoption of these CMMs shortly after COP3.

While commercial fishing is subject to a moratorium that lasts until June 2037, with the possibility to extend, several parties are eager to commence exploratory fishing to identify what species are available, and in what quantities, for potential commercial fisheries.

CAOFA parties are negotiating a complex set of controls for exploratory fishing, to avoid situations where exploratory fishing becomes de facto commercial fishing that could cause major damage to sensitive ecosystems and species living in the area. And where findings may not be shared with other CAOFA parties.

The decision to start exploratory fishing in the high seas of the Central Arctic Ocean must not be rushed. If parties do not have all the necessary information to avoid harmful effects of exploratory fishing, they should agree to stop the clock and keep carving out the conditions, and remain faithful to the precautionary approach for which the CAOFA is praised. Any damage caused to these fragile and largely unknown ecosystems would be irreversible.

The decision to start exploratory fishing in the high seas of the Central Arctic Ocean must not be rushed. If parties do not have all the necessary information to avoid harmful effects of exploratory fishing, they should agree to stop the clock and keep carving out the conditions, and remain faithful to the precautionary approach for which the CAOFA is praised. Any damage caused to these fragile and largely unknown ecosystems would be irreversible.

– Jan Dusík, Lead Specialist, Governance, WWF Global Arctic Programme

Spatial set asides

The need to set spatial boundaries in the CAOFA area where no fishing – including exploratory fishing – should be allowed. These boundaries should be either year-long or during sensitive periods, such as during migration or spawning. This is a key point which WWF will urge CAOFA parties to include.

Parties should first define Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems, which will be based on the specifics of this dynamic ice environment and which will not be open for any fishing. For instance, canyons, ridges and relatively shallow plateaus of the Arctic Ocean are likely to be a home for unique and fragile biodiversity. All fishing, exploratory or otherwise, should not operate here.

In areas where exploratory fishing is permissible, it still remains imperative that parties also adopt robust move on rules for situations where vessels engaged in exploratory fishing encounter sensitive ecosystems or species, and consequently any further fishing should be put on hold.

Management overlap

The meeting will also discuss what measures should be taken in the overlapping area between CAOFA and the Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in North-East Atlantic Fisheries (NEAFC). In CAOFA, only exploratory fishing will be enabled in the near future. Whereas NEAFC allows for commercial fishing, including in the overlap area, although this has never materialized.

WWF wants to make sure that any shared regulatory competencies agreed by the two bodies follow the precautionary principle and ensure the maximum degree of protection of Arctic ecosystems.

Finally, WWF will continue to support a strong voice of Arctic Indigenous Peoples and the inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge and scientific research. While Indigenous Peoples do not have a dedicated vote in the CAOFA, representatives of the Inuit Circumpolar Council are members of several country delegations and offer their experience and knowledge to inform the decision making of parties.

Although the CAOFA area is not directly adjacent to coastal communities, fishing there can harm fish, cetaceans and other species, which in turn can negatively affect the livelihoods of Inuit communities. Therefore, the insights and concerns of Arctic Indigenous Peoples should be embraced, not dismissed.

WWF praises the parties for the cooperative spirit in CAOFA thus far. With important, urgent and potentially controversial decisions ahead, we want to support the parties in making the right choices to operationalize the convention, acting with the precaution on which the agreement is built.

WWF praises the parties for the cooperative spirit in CAOFA thus far. With important, urgent, and potentially controversial decisions ahead, we want to support the parties in making the right choices to operationalize the convention, acting with the precaution on which the agreement is built.

– Jan Dusík, Lead Specialist, Governance, WWF Global Arctic Programme