Episodes

  • Episode 12 - Ocean Cooperation: BBNJ & other IFBs

    Episode 12 - Ocean Cooperation: BBNJ & other IFBs
    Nov 1 2025
    Episode 12 - Ocean Cooperation: BBNJ & other IFBsWhen the new BBNJ Agreement was adopted, it entered a crowded space of already existing Instruments, Frameworks and Bodies (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 talk to 4 Secretariats of those IFBs:One regional fisheries management organisation (North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission, NEAFC); one regional conservation organisation (OSPAR); the International Seabed Authority (ISA); and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).Guests: Darius Campbell, the Executive Secretary of the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) Dominic Pattinson, the former Executive Secretary of the OSPAR CommissionBruno Pozzi, the Deputy Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA)Joe Appiott, the coordinator for marine, coastal and island biodiversity of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)Hosts: ⁠Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki⁠ & Bianca Haas & ⁠Jennifer Macey⁠Sound design and editing: ⁠⁠Emily Perkins⁠⁠Communication: ⁠Sunnefa Yeatman⁠For comments & feedback please contact: ⁠inatvw@uow.edu.au⁠ Find out more:ANCORS Ocean Equity page ⁠https://oceanequityresearch.org/⁠ANCORS at the University of Wollongong https://www.uow.edu.au/ancors/⁠Official documents in preparation for the Entry into Force of the BBNJ Agreement on the United Nations WebsiteBBNJ: ⁠https://www.un.org/bbnjagreement/en⁠North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission: ⁠https://www.neafc.org/⁠ OSPAR: ⁠https://www.ospar.org/⁠International Seabed Authority (ISA): ⁠https://isa.org.jm/⁠ Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): ⁠https://www.cbd.int/⁠ Further Materials & SourcesOSPAR Decision 2021/01 on the establishment of the North Atlantic Current and Evlanov Sea basin Marine Protected Area ⁠https://www.ospar.org/documents?v=46308⁠ Collective arrangement between competent international organisations on cooperation and coordination regarding selected areas in areas beyond national jurisdiction in the North‐East Atlantic: ⁠https://www.ospar.org/documents?v=33030⁠
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    48 mins
  • Episode 11 - Children & Youth

    Episode 11 - Children & Youth
    Sep 30 2025
    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 generations shape the future of our ocean?What is the age group of young ocean advocates?And what needs to be changed to strengthen youth engagement in our current ocean governance systems?Guests: Charley Peebler (Co-Founder of Heirs to Our Ocean, Global Youth Leader, and Member of Youth Inclusion Expert Working Group for the UN Ocean Decade)Chloe McKenna (Head of Communications for Heirs to Our Ocean, Global Youth Leader, and Member of Youth Inclusion Expert Working Group for the UN Ocean Decade)Armon Alex (Head of Development and Outreach for Heirs to Our Ocean, Global Youth Leader, and Member of Youth Inclusion Expert Working Group for the UN Ocean Decade)Ishwarya Kandasamy (Thematic Focal Point for BBNJ, Oceans Youth Constituency, Major Group for Children and Youth)Hosts: ⁠Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki⁠ & ⁠Jennifer Macey⁠ Sound design and editing: ⁠⁠Emily Perkins⁠⁠Communication: ⁠Sunnefa Yeatman⁠For comments & feedback please contact: ⁠inatvw@uow.edu.au⁠ Find out more:ANCORS Ocean Equity page ⁠https://oceanequityresearch.org/⁠ANCORS at the University of Wollongong ⁠https://www.uow.edu.au/ancors/⁠You can find official documents in preparation for the Entry into Force of the BBNJ Agreement on the United Nations Website: https://www.un.org/bbnjagreement/en/meetings/preparatory-commission/documents/second-session-18-29-august-2025Youth-led NGO “Heirs to Our Ocean”:Official Website: https://h2oo.org/Meet Heirs to Our Ocean The Official Children and Youth Constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (YOUNGO):Official Website: https://youngoclimate.org/ To join Ocean’s Voice working group of YOUNGO Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY): Official Website: https://www.unmgcy.org/ Get involved with MGCY as an organisation and as an individual United Nations Youth Delegate Program: Become a ⁠UN Youth DelegateFurther Youth Engagement opportunities: Become a High Seas Youth AmbassadorBecome a member of the Youth Advisory CouncilYouth Advocacy Training - World Ocean DayYouth LeadershipHome | GenSeaA WAVE OF MESSAGES FOR THE HIGH SEAS - High Seas Alliance Treaty RatificationHigh Seas Youth Advocacy | Trello Research on the BBNJ process by ANCORS researchers:Lothian, S. (2023). The BBNJ preamble: More than just window dressing. Marine Policy, 153, 105642-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105642Lothian, S. L. (2022). Marine conservation and international law: legal instruments for biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.Tessnow-von Wysocki, I., & Vadrot, A. B. M. (2024). Pathways of scientific input into intergovernmental negotiations: a new agreement on marine biodiversity. International Environmental Agreements : Politics, Law and Economics, 24(2–3), 325 348. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10784-024-09642-0Tessnow-von Wysocki, I., & Vadrot, A. B. M. (2022). Governing a Divided Ocean: The Transformative Power of Ecological Connectivity in the BBNJ Negotiations. Politics and Governance, 10(3), 14 28. https://doi.org/10.17645/pag.v10i3.5428Tessnow-von Wysocki, I., & Vadrot, A. B. M. (2020). The Voice of Science on Marine Biodiversity Negotiations: A Systematic Literature Review. Frontiers in Marine Science, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.614282
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    35 mins
  • Episode 10 - Human Rights at Sea

    Episode 10 - Human Rights at Sea
    Aug 4 2025
    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 MigrantWorkers Union, SBMIBubba Cook – SharkspacificMarcelo Hidalgo – Fishing IndustryAssociation Papua New Guinea Hosts: Bianca Haas & Jennifer MaceySound design and editing: Emily Perkins Communication: Sunnefa YeatmanFor comments & feedback please contact: inatvw@uow.edu.au Find out more:ANCORS Ocean Equity page https://oceanequityresearch.org/ANCORS at the University of Wollongong https://www.uow.edu.au/ancors/ Indonesian Migrant Workers Union (SBMI):Webpage: https://sbmi.or.id/Sharkspacific: Webpage: https://sharkspacific.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharkspacificorgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharks-pacific/posts/?feedView=allInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharkspacificorg/?hl=enFishing Industry Association Papua New Guinea:Webpage: https://www.fia-png.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fishing-industry-association-fia/posts/?feedView=all Official Documents from WCPFC:Conservation and Management Measure for Crew Labour Standards (WCPFC Meeting, 2024): CMM 2024-04 -Conservation and Management Measure for Crew Labour Standards | Monitoring andEvaluation Research on the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission by ANCORS researchers:Haas, B., Oh, S., Dalton, K., Chang, SK., Fitzpatrick, J., Minami, K., Matsui, H., Xue, G., An, J.E., Azmi, K., Davis, R., Lin, H.Y., Jung, M.H., and Hanich, Q. (2023). Untangling Jurisdictional Complexities for Crew Labour Regulations on Fishing Vessels in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10120Hidalgo, M., Trott, P., and Haas, B. (2025). The vulnerability of observers – An evaluation of observer programs welfare and working conditions policies. Marine Policy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2024.106540Haas, B., Davis, R., Hidalgo, M., Posanau, N.A., and Papaol, D. (2025). Ensuring Social Accountability in Tuna Fisheries: Lessons Learned from the Pacific. https://www.fia-png.com/_files/ugd/872bdb_9f430e33bd634b13ab2b592f078c4102.pdf
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    27 mins
  • Episode 9 - Deep-Sea Mining

    Episode 9 - Deep-Sea Mining
    Jul 9 2025
    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 – the “Area”.States regularly meet in the headquarters of the ISA to negotiate rules and regulations under what conditions deep-sea mining could be allowed, which environmental standards would have to be followed and how to ensure that everyone benefits from potential mining activities. Not an easy task – therefore this episode introduces the topic of deep-sea mining and the work of the ISA. Timely with the negotiation schedule, this episode summarises the current state of the negotiations and which questions remain for the upcoming meetings. What does the International Seabed Authority do?How can potential benefits from deep-seabed minerals be equitably shared?What is the current state of the negotiations at the ISA?What does the new US executive order regarding deep-sea mining entail?And how does the International Seabed Authority relate to the new Agreement for Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ)?Guests: Aline Jaeckel (ANCORS) and Pradeep Singh (Ozeano Azul Foundation)Hosts: ⁠Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki⁠ & ⁠Jennifer Macey⁠ Sound design and editing: ⁠⁠Emily Perkins⁠⁠Communication: ⁠Sunnefa Yeatman⁠ANCORS literature on Deep-Seabed MiningSingh, P. A., Jaeckel, A., & Ardron, J. A. (2025). APause or Moratorium for Deep Seabed Mining in the Area? The Legal Basis, Potential Pathways, and Possible Policy Implications. Ocean Development & International Law, 56(1), 18–44. https://doi.org/10.1080/00908320.2024.2439877Singh P, Jaeckel A. Undermining by Mining? Deep SeabedMining in Light of International Marine Environmental Law. AJIL Unbound. 2024;118:72-77. doi:10.1017/aju.2024.8Jaeckel, A., Harden-Davies, H., Amon, D.J. et al. Deepseabed mining lacks social legitimacy. npj Ocean Sustain 2,1 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44183-023-00009-7Jaeckel, A. L. (05 Jan. 2017). The International SeabedAuthority and the Precautionary Principle. Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill | Nijhoff. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004332287 More Information about Deep-sea MiningInternational Seabed Authority Website ANCORS Ocean Equity Website Oceano Azul Foundation WebsiteFollow the negotiations live on the official ISA Web TV:Council (23 June – 4 July 2025)Assembly (21 – 25 July 2025) For comments & feedback please contact: ⁠inatvw@uow.edu.au⁠
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    43 mins
  • Episode 8 – The United Nations Ocean Conference

    Episode 8 – The United Nations Ocean Conference
    Jun 8 2025

    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 matter if we live close to the ocean, or far away.

    • What does the ocean mean to us?
    • How is the ocean important to landlocked countries?
    • What can we expect from the upcoming UN Ocean Conference in Nice?

    Join us with our guests:

    Minna Epps, IUCN

    Fabienne McLellan, Ocean Care

    Pradeep Singh, Ozeano Azul Foundation

    Maila Guilhon, Ocean Voices Programme


    Hosts: ⁠⁠Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠Jennifer Macey⁠⁠

    Sound design and editing: ⁠⁠⁠Emily Perkins⁠⁠ Communication: ⁠⁠Sunnefa Yeatman⁠⁠

    For comments & feedback please contact: ⁠⁠inatvw@uow.edu.au⁠⁠


    Find out more:

    United Nations Ocean Conference Information and Programme: https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/ocean2025/programme

    ANCORS involvement with UNOC:

    Nice Declaration - Human Rights at Sea

    June 10, 3-5pm, 18 avenue Jean Médecin

    From Treaty to Action: Multi-Stakeholder Cooperation for the High Seas 11 June, 4-6pm. La Baleine

    Ocean Futures 2030: addressing the gaps in implementing the BBNJ agreement, 12 June, 12-1 pm at the Best Western Plus Hôtel Massena Nice, 58, rue Gioffredo, 06000 Nice

    ANCORS Ocean Equity page ⁠⁠https://oceanequityresearch.org/⁠⁠

    ANCORS at the University of Wollongong ⁠⁠https://www.uow.edu.au/ancors/⁠⁠


    International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN): https://iucn.org/

    OceanCare: https://www.oceancare.org/

    Oceano Azul Foundation: https://oceanoazulfoundation.org/

    Ocean Voices Programme: https://ocean-voices.ed.ac.uk/


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    35 mins
  • Episode 7 - Tuna Fisheries II (Indian Ocean)

    Episode 7 - Tuna Fisheries II (Indian Ocean)
    May 13 2025

    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 this episode, we talk to four experts from the region who have been actively engaged in shaping the Indian Ocean tuna fisheries.

    Guests:

    Adam Ziyad – Chair of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission

    Dr Paul de Bruyn – Executive Secretary of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission

    Umair Shahid – Indian Ocean Tuna manager for WWF

    Doreen Simiyu – Coordinator of the Indian Ocean Tuna Forum (SWIOTUNA)


    Hosts: Bianca Haas & Jennifer Macey

    Sound design and editing: Emily Perkins

    Communication: Sunnefa Yeatman

    For comments & feedback please contact: inatvw@uow.edu.au

    Find out more:

    ANCORS Ocean Equity page https://oceanequityresearch.org/

    ANCORS at the University of Wollongong https://www.uow.edu.au/ancors/

    Indian Ocean Tuna Commission Website https://iotc.org/

    WWF Website https://www.wwf-swio.org/

    SWIOTUNA Website https://www.swiotuuna.org/

    Blog on the 29th IOTC meeting: https://oceanequityresearch.org/fisheries-governance-publications/insights-into-the-29th-annual-meeting-of-the-indian-ocean-tuna-commission/

    Research on the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission by ANCORS researchers:


    Rambourg, C., Haas, B., & Colléter, M. (2025). The quiet voices of French territories in tuna fisheries management. Environmental Development, 55, 101162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101162


    Haas, B., Goodman, C., Sinan, H., Davis, R. (2023). Fact or fiction? Unpacking the terminologies used in fisheries allocation discussions. Marine Policy, 152, 105630. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105630


    Davis, R., Hanich, Q., Haas, B., Cisneros-Montemayor, A., Azmi, K., Seto, K.L., et al. (2022). Who Gets the Catch? How Conventional Catch Attribution Frameworks Undermine Equity in Transboundary Fisheries. Frontiers in Marine Science. 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.831868
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    26 mins
  • Episode 6 - Tuna Fisheries I (Western and Central Pacific Ocean)

    Episode 6 - Tuna Fisheries I (Western and Central Pacific Ocean)
    Apr 30 2025

    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 four experts who have dedicated their lives to ensuring that tuna fisheries in the Western and Central Pacific are managed sustainably.

    Guests:

    Professor Transform Aqorau – Vice Chancellor of the Solomon Islands National University

    Francisco Blaha – Fisheries Consultant

    Dr Josie Tamate – Chair of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission

    Rhea Moss-Christian – Executive Director of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission

    Hosts: Bianca Haas & Jennifer Macey


    Sound design and editing: Emily Perkins

    Communication: Sunnefa Yeatman

    For comments & feedback please contact: ⁠inatvw@uow.edu.au⁠

    Find out more:

    ANCORS Ocean Equity page ⁠https://oceanequityresearch.org/⁠

    ANCORS at the University of Wollongong ⁠https://www.uow.edu.au/ancors/⁠

    Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Website ⁠https://www.wcpfc.int/⁠

    Francisco Blaha’s Website ⁠https://www.franciscoblaha.info/⁠

    Parties of the Nauru Agreement (PNA) Website: ⁠https://www.pnatuna.com/⁠

    Research on the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission by ANCORS researchers:


    Haas, B., Azmi, K., & Davis, R. (2024). Pacific tuna update: 20th Meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. Marine Policy, 168, 106320. ⁠https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2024.106320⁠


    Goodman C., Davis, R., Azmi, K., Bell, J., Galland, G.R. Gilman, E., et al. (2022). Enhancing cooperative responses by regional fisheries management organisations to climate-driven redistribution of tropical Pacific tuna stocks. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9. ⁠https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.1046018⁠


    Azmi, K., & Hanich, Q. (2021). Mapping interests in the tuna fisheries of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. Ocean & Coastal Management. 212, 105779. ⁠https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2021.105779⁠


    Hanich, Q., Jung, M., McDonald, A., Oh, S., Moon, S., An, J., & Yoon, M. (2021). Tuna Fisheries Conservation and Management in the Pacific Islands Region: Implications for Korean Distant Water Fisheries. Asia-Pacific Journal of Ocean Law and Policy. 6, 192-220. ⁠https://doi.org/10.1163/24519391-06020003⁠


    Haas, B. (2020). Tuna management in action: assessing the contribution of the WCPFC to the SDGs. Australian Journal of Maritime & Ocean Affairs. 12, 42-47. ⁠https://doi.org/10.1080/18366503.2020.1726261⁠

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    24 mins
  • Episode 5 - Marine Genetic Resources & Benefit Sharing

    Episode 5 - Marine Genetic Resources & Benefit Sharing
    Apr 21 2025
    Episode 5- Access and Benefit Sharing of Marine Genetic ResourcesSeries 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 remain about the nitty-gritty details of implementation.What are marine genetic resources and their digital sequence information?How can benefits be shared fairly and equitably?What are the most urgent issues to negotiate in upcoming meetings of the United Nations?In this episode we meet Fran Humphries, Associate Professor at Griffith University, an expert on Access and Benefit Sharing of Marine Genetic resources. She guides us through ocean equity issues about sharing the genetic material of the deepest parts of the ocean.Guest: Associate Professor Fran HumphriesHosts: ⁠Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki⁠ & ⁠Jennifer Macey⁠ Sound design and editing: ⁠⁠EmilyPerkins⁠⁠Communication: ⁠Sunnefa Yeatman⁠For comments & feedback please contact: ⁠inatvw@uow.edu.au⁠ Find out more:ANCORS Ocean Equity page ⁠https://oceanequityresearch.org/⁠ANCORS at the University of Wollongong ⁠https://www.uow.edu.au/ancors/⁠You can find official documents in preparation for the First Preparatory Commission Meeting on the United Nations Website: ⁠https://www.un.org/bbnjagreement/en/meetings/preparatory-commission/documents/first-session⁠ Research on Marine Genetic Resources:Humphries, F. (2025). Decoding Marine GeneticResource Governance Under the BBNJ Agreement (1st ed. 2025.). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-72100-7Humphries, F. (2025). Marine Genetic Resources Beyond National Jurisdiction: The Expansive Scope of the BBNJ Agreement. In: Humphries, F. (eds) Decoding Marine Genetic Resource Governance Under the BBNJ Agreement. Sustainable Development Goals Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-72100-7_3Research on the BBNJ process by ANCORS researchers:Kraabel, K. (2022). Institutional arrangements in a BBNJ treaty: Implications for Arctic marine science. Marine Policy, 142,103807-. ⁠https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2019.103807⁠Lothian, S. (2023b). The BBNJ Agreement: Through the Prismof Deep-Sea Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems. Ocean Development and International Law, 54(4), 469–499. ⁠https://doi.org/10.1080/00908320.2023.2296400⁠Lothian, S. (2022). Marine conservation and international law: legal instruments for biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.Tessnow-von Wysocki, I., & Vadrot, A. B. M. (2024).Pathways of scientific input into intergovernmental negotiations: a new agreement on marine biodiversity. International Environmental Agreements : Politics, Law and Economics, 24(2–3), 325–348. ⁠https://doi.org/10.1007/s10784-024-09642-0⁠ Tessnow-von Wysocki, I. (2023). Science-policy interfaces for ocean protection: The case of the international negotiations for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ). Doctoral Thesis. ⁠https://phaidra.univie.ac.at/detail/o:1978693⁠ Tessnow-von Wysocki, I., & Vadrot, A. B. M. (2022).Governing a Divided Ocean: The Transformative Power of Ecological Connectivity in the BBNJ Negotiations. Politics and Governance, 10(3), 14–28. ⁠https://doi.org/10.17645/pag.v10i3.5428⁠Tessnow-von Wysocki, I., & Vadrot, A. B. M. (2020). The Voice of Science on Marine Biodiversity Negotiations: A Systematic Literature Review. Frontiers in Marine Science, 7. ⁠https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.614282⁠Vadrot, A. B. M., Langlet, A., & Tessnow-von Wysocki, I.(2021). Who owns marine biodiversity? Contesting the world order through the ‘common heritage of humankind’ principle. Environmental Politics, 31(2),226–250. https://doi.org/10.1080/09644016.2021.1911442
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    22 mins