Developing and testing area-based planning tools in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction

Sustainable fisheries management and biodiversity conservation of deep-sea living marine resources and ecosystems in the Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ)  

This Project is a 5-year GEF-funded Project jointly implemented by FAO and UNEP. The ABNJ Deep Seas Project started in 2015 and is one of four ABNJ-related projects under the GEF Common Oceans Programme. The ABNJ Deep Seas Project explores methods to improve the sustainable use of deep sea resources and biodiversity conservation. The Project aims to support the application of an ecosystem approach to sustainable resource use in ABNJ. Working primarily with regional organisations responsible for the management of deep-sea fisheries and Regional Seas Programmes, the ABNJ Deep Seas Project aims to support ways of improving the conservation of marine biodiversity and sustainability of deep sea fisheries so that ecosystems in ABNJ can continue to provide economic, social and environmental benefits to everyone, now and in the future.

Component 4: Area-Based Planning Methodology

Component 4 aims to develop and test a methodology for area-based planning in ABNJ in two pilot areas, the Western Indian Ocean and the South-East Pacific. As cross-sectoral area-based planning frameworks such as marine spatial planning are becoming increasingly popular within jurisdictional waters, this approach has the potential to improve biodiversity conservation and the sustainability of resource use in ABNJ by considering the spatial distribution of all activities – and their impact on the ecosystem - within a single planning approach.  The Project will focus on better understanding the different demands placed upon deep-sea ecosystems in ABNJ and exploring which area-based planning tools are most likely to be effective. 

The objectives of this Component are to:

• Gather information to support area-based planning in ABNJ;
• Share regional experiences of area-based planning in ABNJ;
• Develop and test a tool or process to support area-based planning in ABNJ within two pilot regions; 
• Develop regional capacity to support the use of area-based planning.

Consultation with the pilot regions is key to all the work in the ABNJ Deep Seas Project.  Within the two pilot regions, participation in the Project will help nations develop the capacity to engage in ABNJ resource opportunities, develop their understanding of area-based planning in ABNJ and, in parallel, enhance planning within national waters.  Through multi-sectoral and multi-state planning in the pilot regions, the Project hopes to identify the risks of cumulative impacts on deep-sea ecosystems and the potential for these to affect ecosystem services.  By helping to build links and understanding between the different sectors currently operating in ABNJ, the Project will support countries within these regions in meeting long-term development objectives, such as the Sustainable Development Goals.