Legislating for an ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF) is complex, due to the holistic nature of EAF involving multiple factors that underpin the social, economic, environmental, and institutional aspects of fisheries sustainability. These factors include ecosystems integration, risks, inter-sectoral collaboration, research, participatory processes, monitoring, control, surveillance, and enforcement, among others. To assess how the EAF is being implemented through national policy and legal frameworks, FAO developed A diagnostic tool for implementing an ecosystem approach to fisheries through national policy and legal frameworks. The present legal report on the EAF used the diagnostic tool to assess the alignment of selected policy and legal instruments of Maldives with the EAF. This assessment analysed the extent to which 82 EAF legal requirements, which are considered the minimum standards in legislating for the EAF, are reflected in Maldives' policies and legislation relevant to the fisheries sector of the country and other relevant sectors (such as environment, wildlife, ecosystems, and maritime affairs). Based on this preliminary diagnosis, gaps were identified in the assessed instruments, and recommendations were made for improving the implementation of the EAF. This report was elaborated following a participatory approach with the involvement of the national competent authorities of Seychelles. The report was drafted and submitted to the national authorities of Maldives in October 2021. The Fisheries Management Section, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture, endorsed this EAF Legal Report in January 2023.

The ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF) is a risk-based management process for the planning, management, development, regulation and monitoring of fishing and fishing-related activities. EAF addresses ecological consequences of fishing as well as social, economic and institutional aspects of fisheries sustainability. Adequate legislation and regulatory frameworks are key to successful implementation of the EAF. The continuous review and update of information on legislation and regulatory instruments require the analysis of existing legal frameworks at all levels of governance, to assess whether they remain in force, valid and aligned with international fisheries law standards, including the EAF. The present work was prepared with a view to provide current information on how the EAF is being implemented through national legal frameworks of selected countries in Africa. It revisits a previous legal study prepared by Anniken Skonhoft and published by FAO in 2011. A decade later, based on the scope of that study, the present work provides updated data and contributes to the knowledge on the current global and regional legal frameworks for an EAF, which are vital for EAF implementation purposes. This update also re-analysed certain countries’ national legislation and their evolution with respect to capturing the EAF requirements. Ultimately, the present work supports the legal implementation of an EAF for a holistic, integrated and innovative way of managing fisheries that promotes the participation of all relevant stakeholders and the use of best available knowledge for decision making, whilst balancing the human dimensions with the care for the environment, habitats, ecosystems and biodiversity related with fishery resources on which they depend.

This is the report of the Seventh Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission (APFIC) Regional Consultative Forum Meeting (RCFM) on Sustainable Development for Resilient Blue Growth of Fisheries and Aquaculture. The meeting was convened in Cebu, Philippines from 7 May to 9 May 2018 and was attended by 80 participants from 16 countries, together with representatives from ten regional and international partner organizations and projects. The key conclusions and recommendations endorsed by the Seventh RCFM are summarized as: (1) The RCFM recognized the great advances in the four thematic areas pertaining to sustainable and resilient fisheries and aquaculture for blue growth in the region; (2) There are a number of remaining and emerging challenges to the sustainability and resilience of fisheries and aquaculture sector; (3) There remains a great need in many countries for reinforced legal frameworks and guiding policies to ensure a human rights-based and environmentally friendly development of the region’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors in line with the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines) and the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF); and (4) More targeted disaster risk management and climate change strategies and technologies for the sector are needed in several countries. The RCFM considered the reviews of regional fisheries and aquaculture, presentations by member countries and regional organizations, reports of action plans of APFIC regional consultative workshops and the major issues outlined in the agenda and developed a report and recommendations to inform the Thirty-fifth APFIC Session.

There Is A Growing Concern About The Change In Composition Of The Atmosphere, Depletion Of The Ozone Shield, Pollution Of Marines And Rapid Population Growth Leading To Alarming Imbalance Between Population And Resources. Concerted Efforts Are Being Made Across The World To Curb The Environmental Degradation. The Un Conference On The Human Environment Held In Stockholm In 1972 Marked The Beginning Of The Development Of International Environmental Law By Soft Law Mechanism. With The Un Convention On The Law Of The Sea, 1982, The State Parties Have Been Made Obligatory To Protect The Marine Environment, Including All The Resources Therein.The Present Book Is A Treatise On The Legal Regime Of The Marine Environment In The Bay Of Bengal. It Provides A Comprehensive Description And Assessment Of The Legal Regime Governing This Particular Maritime Area. It Focuses On Its Protection, Preservation And Development. It Deals With Fisheries As Well As The Protection Of The Environment Against Pollution And The Discharge Of Waste From Land.Beginning With The Study Of Fisheries Management In The Bay Of Bengal, The Book Includes In Its Study The Major Agreements And Protocols, International Documents On Marine Environment, Seabed Mining And Its Consequences, Settlement Of Environmental Disputes, And The Present-Day Socio-Economic Condition In The Bay Of Bengal Region. The Book Also Provides A Bibliography To Enable The Readers To Pursue Their Study Further. The Index That Completes The Book Would Prove A Useful Study-Aid To All Readers. Since The Study Is Embedded In The Global Perspective Of The Protection Of The Marine Environment, It Shall Be Of Significant Use To All Those In Coastal And Naval Services, Government Executives, Planners And Policy Makers Concerned With The Protection Of The Marine Environment. For The Scholars And Teachers Of International Law, It Is An Ideal Reference Book.

This book presents a comprehensive analysis of the legal and policy frameworks for marine fisheries management and examines the efficiency of the institutions responsible for the formulation, implementation and enforcement of marine fisheries laws and policies in Bangladesh. Sustainable management of marine fisheries is a complex, multi-dimensional and multi-stakeholder process that entails sustainable use of marine living resources and conservation of marine biodiversity. Offering a critical analysis to these frameworks that play a crucial role in the conservation and management of fish stocks in areas within and beyond national jurisdiction, this book examines inadequacies and implementation gaps in the legislative, policy and institutional frameworks that contribute to the unsustainable exploitation of marine fish stocks in Bangladesh. It recommends law and policy reform for conservation and sustainable management of marine fisheries in Bangladesh and the Bay of Bengal.

This publication gives an overview of the small-scale fisheries sector in South Asian countries and proposes actions to support SSF implementation, through SSF focal points in fisheries administrations, secure funding, and public-private partnerships.

An investigation of how climate change affects maritime boundaries, suggesting ways for the international law community to mitigate the effects.