© McDonald Mirabile / WWF-US
CENTRAL ARCTIC OCEAN FISHING AGREEMENT
The Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean, also known as the Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement (CAOFA).
Why are we concerned?
The Central Arctic Ocean (CAO) is opening up due to climate change, affecting its ecosystems and communities. With the thick sea ice cover melting, there has been increased interest in economic exploitation, including potentially also in commercial fishing.
Reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlight the impacts, including disappearing sea ice, shifting habitats, and declining biodiversity. Warming has expanded habitats for some fish species, like Atlantic cod, in areas like the northern Barents Sea. This expansion of warmer-water species into the Arctic, known as the “Arctic squeeze,” could put pressure on native species. The IPCC reports also discuss changes in species distributions, challenging international fishing regulations.
As Arctic ice continues to melt, it is expected that commercial activities, like fishing, will increase. This poses both challenges and opportunities for the region’s ecosystems and governance.
© Elisabeth Kruger / WWF-US
What is CAOFA?
The Central Arctic Ocean Fishing Agreement (CAOFA) came into effect in June 2021. Its objective is to protect the Central Arctic Ocean (CAO) from unregulated fishing. Signed by ten parties including Canada, Denmark (for Faroe and Greenland), Norway, Russia, the United States, China, and others, it imposes a 16-year ban on commercial fishing in the CAO. This allows scientists to study the region’s biodiversity and potential for sustainable fishing without causing ecological harm.
Unlike traditional fishing agreements, the CAOFA takes a precautionary approach, preventing any fishing until research determines if it can be done responsibly. It is a landmark agreement, involving non-Arctic players like the European Union. Essentially, the CAOFA acts as a safeguard for the CAO’s healthy marine ecosystem and for ensuring conservation and sustainable use of fish stocks. It establishes a de facto protected area where all commercial fishing is prohibited at least until 2037, prioritizing ecological knowledge and sustainable fishing practices for the future.
What are the next steps?
The Arctic’s dispersed governance systems are facing increasing pressure due to political and economic factors. In the face of these pressures, successful implementation of the CAOFA is crucial. This agreement not only directly affects the health of the Arctic Ocean but also sets a precedent for improving Arctic environmental governance in the future, including engagement with non-Arctic states and full, meaningful inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge and local knowledge in management decisions.
However, implementing the CAOFA cannot happen in isolation. It is closely linked to global initiatives promoting biodiversity conservation. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in December 2022, includes four goals and 23 targets to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030. Amongst these is a commitment for countries to conserve 30 per cent of the globe’s lands, waters and oceans.
The High Seas Treaty provides guidelines for protecting marine biodiversity, including establishing protected areas, assessing impacts of development projects and managing high seas’ genetic resources.
CAOFA’s implementation should align with the goals of these frameworks. Data collected during the designation of protected areas and conduct of environmental assessments, as well as consultations with knowledge holders and stakeholders, should inform decision-making on the future of Arctic fisheries. Likewise, knowledge gained from the CAOFA activities, such as insights into fish stocks, can contribute to managing a network of protected areas in the high seas, ensuring healthy Arctic Ocean ecosystems.
What is WWF doing?
© Elisabeth Kruger / WWF-US
CAOFA observer status
WWF has gained Observer status at the Convention of the Parties (COP) for CAOFA. We will help develop tools and measures crucial for the agreement’s implementation. We advocate for a collaborative approach, applying scientific research, Indigenous knowledge and local knowledge.
In the report, Sustaining Tomorrow’s Central Arctic Ocean Today, WWF highlights successful strategies from around the world to guide effective governance of Arctic fisheries. All Observers, including WWF, can engage in discussions and contribute to policy documents at the COP and working groups of the CAOFA.
WWF will participate in reviewing and applying available science and knowledge regarding fishing and ecosystems in the Arctic Ocean, including through monitoring the conduct and results of exploratory fishing. We contributed to scientific responses to questions, which will inform the future of CAOFA conservation and management.
© WWF Global Arctic Programme
Implementing ArcNet – a conservation framework
WWF developed ArcNet, an Arctic Ocean network of priority areas for conservation. It is a readymade framework that outlines a coherent and comprehensive network of priority areas for conservation across the entire Arctic Ocean and adjacent seas. Implementation ready, this framework includes a map, guide, tools, method and is designed to be inclusive, transparent, knowledge-based and adaptive.
WWF crafted ArcNet in collaboration with leading Arctic scientists and in consultation with Indigenous Peoples’ representatives. Notably, this marks the first time such a comprehensive network of priority conservation areas has been identified on an entire ocean scale. WWF remains committed to advocating for ArcNet as a pivotal tool in creating a coherent and interconnected network aimed at safeguarding at least 30 per cent of the Arctic Ocean to be protected or conserved by 2030. This aligns with broader conservation goals outlined in the Global Biodiversity Framework and the High Seas Treaty.
