The Future of Managing Fisheries and the Global Commons through Regional Fisheries Management Organizations: Steps toward Global Stewardship

The high seas, to this day, are viewed by many as a hive of unlawful activity, with visions of piracy, illegal fishing, and mysterious sea creatures. Conversely, that same 70 percent of our ocean that is outside state waters, beyond 200 nautical miles, may be seen as a frontier area, with little human activity relative to nearshore and coastal ecosystems. Somewhere between those two extremes lies the truth. Our most intimate connection with the high seas comes from the fish on our plate and occasional news stories documenting the catch of a big fish by local fishers. On the other hand, public awareness about the high seas also centers on iconic species like cod and tuna that have been overfished and remain below historic levels. It is the collective decisions of individual countries that determine the ultimate fate of high seas fish populations. The past and future success of these group decisions in adhering to high-level principles and the best available science to protect the global commons will dictate if we can minimize human impacts and ensure the sustainability of the broader marine ecosystem.