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How do Regional Fisheries Management Organizations manage fishing outside exclusive economic zones?
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commercial fishing
Worker in the Tsukiji fish market, Tokyo.
Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) are intergovernmental bodies responsible for the conservation and management of fish stocks in areas beyond national jurisdiction, specifically the high seas located outside of exclusive economic zones (EEZs).12
These organizations manage fishing through the following mechanisms:
- Membership and Regulation: RFMOs consist of both bordering coastal states and distant-water fishing nations that operate in the region. They establish regulatory frameworks to govern fishing activities, including the setting of catch quotas and the management of specific economically important species, such as tuna and salmon.1
- Scientific Cooperation: RFMOs rely on fisheries science to develop mathematical models that predict optimum yields, aiming to ensure the long-term sustainability of fish populations.1
- International Agreements: Management principles are often guided by broader frameworks, such as the 1995 UN fish stocks treaty, which specifically addresses the conservation of straddling and highly migratory fish stocks to prevent international disputes.23
Despite these efforts, enforcement remains a significant challenge, as international waters are frequently subject to the tragedy of the commons, leading to issues with illegal and unreported fishing.1