Staying the course on precaution: WWF reflections from the CAOFA COP4

Often ocean governance arrives too late, after ecosystems are damaged and fish stocks have already declined. The Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement (CAOFA) is a rare exception: an international accord aimed at preventing harm before industrial fishing begins in the Central Arctic Ocean. At the recent fourth Conference of the Parties (CAOFA COP4), governments reaffirmed their commitment to precaution and collaboration, principles that lie at the heart of this landmark agreement. WWF welcomes this continued dedication, especially in a region as ecologically unique and vulnerable as the Central Arctic Ocean, where climate change is driving rapid and profound transformation.

A region like no other

The Central Arctic Ocean is one of the planet’s last relatively untouched marine areas, a vast, ice-covered ecosystem that plays a crucial role in global climate regulation and hosts biodiversity found nowhere else on Earth. For centuries, this region’s extreme remoteness and harsh conditions have offered natural protection. That protection is now rapidly diminishing as climate change reshapes the region and advancing technologies make access easier. In such an environment, where knowledge gaps are vast and ecosystems are poorly understood, taking a precautionary approach is not just prudent, it is essential.

Progress on precaution and protection

WWF applauds the CAOFA Parties for maintaining their commitment to precautionary management. This principle is not just a legal obligation under CAOFA, it is a moral imperative in a region where the consequences of missteps could be irreversible. We are encouraged by the consensus to continue developing a framework for defining, identifying, and protecting Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs). 

Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems are typically those that contain features like rarity, ecological importance, fragility, and the presence of slow-recovering species. For CAOFA this list must be expanded to reflect unique polar habitats. These include ice-associated ecosystems such as multi-year ice, ice edges, and marginal ice zones, which are highly sensitive to climate change and may be impacted by fishing. The FAO guidelines call for adapting VME criteria to regional contexts, and in the Arctic this means considering not only benthic habitats but also the dynamic and changing nature of the pelagic and surface features.

Defining, identifying, and protecting VMEs is a critical step for CAOFA. Indigenous Knowledge Holders have long known—and limited scientific studies now confirm—that VMEs exist in the Central Arctic Ocean. These ecosystems are fragile, unique, and irreplaceable. Measures must be adopted now to avoid VMEs to prevent harm and to establish clear protocols for what to do when known or newly discovered VMEs are encountered. Protection must precede exploitation, especially in such an ecologically sensitive region.

Exploratory fishing: A work in progress

While progress was made, key discussions remain unfinished. The Conservation and Management Measures (CMMs) for exploratory fishing, rules that will govern any future exploratory fishing activity, are still under negotiation. WWF appreciates the commitment by all Parties to finalize this essential framework. These measures must ensure that exploratory fishing does not become a backdoor to commercial exploitation and that it is conducted with full transparency, scientific rigor, and robust environmental safeguards.

In a region where the marine food web is still being understood, and where even minor disruptions could have cascading effects, the risks of premature activity are too great to ignore. Any exploratory fishing must be treated with the highest caution, grounded in the best available science and guided by Indigenous Knowledge.

Looking ahead

The CAOFA continues to be a beacon of proactive ocean governance. It is one of the few international agreements that seeks to manage a marine area before large-scale exploitation begins. The outcomes of COP4 show that while challenges remain, the spirit of cooperation and precaution endures.

WWF urges Parties to:

• Finalize robust CMMs for exploratory fishing that reflect both scientific and Indigenous knowledge.
• Accelerate the development and adoption of VME identification and protection measures, in conjunction with the development of the CMMs for exploratory fishing.
• Continue to center the precautionary approach in all decision-making.

The Central Arctic Ocean is changing rapidly. The decisions made today will determine whether this unique and irreplaceable ecosystem remains intact for future generations. WWF remains committed to supporting science-based, inclusive, and precautionary governance of this vital region.