Negotiating the Ocean

Episode 8 – The United Nations Ocean Conference

The 8th of June is World Ocean Day – a day to celebrate the ocean and to address the challenges that the ocean faces from human activities, such as overexploitation, pollution, and climate change.

This episode dives into the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) and reflects on the beauty and the importance of the ocean to all of us – no matter if we live close to the ocean, ...

Looking beyond the can - the importance of tuna fisheries

Part 2: The Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission manages the second most lucrative tuna fishery in the world. More than half of the tuna catches in the Indian Ocean come from small-scale fisheries, which are often characterised by a lack of data and information. Overall, the Indian Ocean faces many complex and unique challenges.

In this episode, we talk to fo...

Looking beyond the can - the importance of tuna fisheries

Part 1: The Western and Central Pacific Ocean 

The management of the tuna species is important for the livelihoods and food security of millions of people.  

This is especially true for the tuna caught in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, which accounts for more than half of the global tuna catch. 

In this episode, we will hear from four experts who have dedicated their...

Episode 5- Access and Benefit Sharing of Marine Genetic Resources

Series on Stakeholders in BBNJ: PART 3 Scientist

We don’t yet know what the deep sea holds – but what we know is that benefits need to be shared fairly and equitably. A new Ocean Treaty changes the status quo of access and benefit sharing of marine genetic resources (MGRs) of areas beyond national jurisdiction. Yet, many questions remain about the nitty-gritty det...

Episode 4 – Civil Society

Series on Stakeholders in BBNJ: PART 2 Civil Society

It’s not just government delegations that participate in ocean negotiations. There are countless non-governmental organisations (NGOs) who observe and advise in the negotiations and support implementation.  These NGOs have real concerns about protecting marine biodiversity and increasingly campaign about ocean equity.

• What is the role of c...

Episode 3 – Small Island States

Series on Stakeholders in BBNJ

PART 1 : Small Island States

Small Island States may be small when it comes to land – but are often big ocean states.

They are particularly vulnerable, as they depend on the ocean for their livelihoods and are among the most affected by climate change.

In the negotiations, they often form negotiating blocs to speak in one voice. Outcomes of negotiations for the new Ocea...

After decades of negotiations and a 36 hour-long meeting at the United Nations in New York, countries from around the world agreed to a new Ocean treaty in 2023. The landmark treaty governs Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction – what we call, BBNJ.  A big task: It does not only protect marine life in the High Seas, but also ensures that benefits are shared fairly and equitably amongst all. The high seas, beyond nation...

70 % of the Earth’s surface is Ocean. Beneath the surface lies a complex web of global governance. Who decides how to manage the ocean in a way that is fair and equitable to both the marine environment and humans who rely on the sea for their livelihoods?

Episode 1 of ‘Negotiating the Ocean’ explores the idea of Ocean Equity and how it can be applied to the high-level international talks governing and managing the ocean and its...

The ANCORS Ocean Equity Podcast Negotiating the Ocean peeks below the surface of international ocean governance. We take you behind the scenes of ocean negotiations on biodiversity, fisheries and deep-sea mining and ask the big questions around equity and social justice.

Marine biodiversity, fisheries, deep-sea mining, climate change, and pollution are all inherently international issues and require cooperation at multiple levels....