Overlapping Geographical Mandates of RFMOs

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademic

Abstract

The phenomenon of overlapping geographical mandates of regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) must be viewed in light of the evolution of international law which has proceeded in a gradual manner with little attention to hierarchy. Overlaps in geographical mandates can lead to working at cross-purposes and even conflicts. For instance, in case of fishing in the area of overlap for the same target species or for different target species but using fishing techniques which impact on non-target species or benthic habitats for which at least one of the RFMOs has adopted conservation and management measures. This chapter examines current overlapping geographical mandates of RFMOs; the underlying reasons for these overlaps; and arrangements which have been developed to avoid conflicts, work at cross-purposes and ensure complementarity. These arrangements can be regarded as regime interactions aimed at addressing problems caused by the fragmentation of international (fisheries) law and polycentricity. Arrangements can be treaty-based or not and be focused on determining primacy or rather on cooperation and coordination. Special attention is devoted to the evolving geographical and species overlap between the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission and the Joint Norwegian Russian Fisheries Commission.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInternational Fisheries Law
Subtitle of host publicationPersistent and Emerging Challenges
EditorsBjørn Kunoy, Tomas Heidar, Constantinos Yialllourides
Place of PublicationLondon and New York
PublisherRoutledge
Chapter3
Pages34-55
Number of pages22
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-003-49203-0
ISBN (Print)978-1-032-79445-7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2024

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