Negotiating the Ocean

Episode 4 covers practical considerations how to implement Part II of the BBNJ Agreement. Experts share experiences from ratification processes in their countries, considerations in relation to Intellectual Property Rights for the transfer of Marine Technology, current discussions around the standardised batch identifier, ideas how to enhance interoperability of databases, and the role of the BBNJ...

Episode 3 explores the role and future design of the treaty’s Clearing-House Mechanism (CHM). The episode examines why this mechanism is needed and what will be required to establish it effectively. Discussion focuses on how the CHM could connect with existing gene banks, repositories, databases to facilitate information sharing on MGRs. The conversation also highlights the potential role of the C...

Episode 2 goes from the negotiation room into the text of the treaty – to unpick what access and benefit sharing of Marine Genetic Resources really means. We explore what the treaty means in practice for scientists and commercial end users, what the provisions hold for Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and the relevance for future generations. Guests Thomas Vanagt holds a PhD in Science fr...

About: This podcast series explores the governance of marine genetic resources (MGRs) under the BBNJ Agreement, moving beyond implementation challenges to unpack the treaty’s provisions for areas beyond national jurisdiction. Drawing on insights from scientists, treaty negotiators, Indigenous knowledge holders, policymakers, and commercial users, the series highlights diverse perspectives on equit...

A new Ocean Agreement has entered into force to conserve and sustainably use the ocean globally. Given the imbalance of scientific, technical and financial capacity across countries to use the world’s ocean, conduct marine scientific research in the deep sea and engage in maritime activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction, the new agreement seeks to change the status quo. With a dedicated p...

Episode 12 - Ocean Cooperation: BBNJ & other IFBs When the new BBNJ Agreement was adopted, it entered a crowded space of already existing I nstruments, F rameworks and B odies ( IFBs ) in ocean governance. What do other organisations think of BBNJ - and where are overlaps? Which lessons can be learned from cooperation in a shared ocean? How would ideal cooperation look like? In this episode we...

Around half of the world’s population are young people but how are they included in international negotiations about the future of our planet? This episode portrays the importance of youth involvement in intergovernmental processes, maps different ways for young people to participate in ocean negotiations and highlights opportunities at local, national and global levels. How can younger generation...

Over the last decade human rights violations in the fishing industry have received global attention.  Many of these incidents occur on board fishing vessels, often fishing far off the coast. In this episode, three experts who have been fighting to ensure better working conditions for crew on board fishing vessels will provide insights into this topic. Guests : Rizky Octaviana – Indonesian MigrantW...

Deep-sea minerals are found in the depths of the ocean, thousands of meters below the surface in the seabed. Deep-sea mining has not yet occurred in international areas – those areas where no one state has jurisdiction, but where international cooperation is needed. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is responsible for administration of mineral resources of the international ocean floor – th...

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 m...

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...

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 fo...

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 r...

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. W...

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. Outcom...

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 B iodiversity of Areas B eyond N ational J urisdiction – 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 a...

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...

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 req...