The 10th annual Our Ocean Conference (OOC) in Busan, South Korea is happening this week, and we are glad to join the conversation on several topics relevant to our work. This year, the conference is set to discuss “digital oceans,” taking a look at the use of technology in ocean spaces as a tool for supporting sustainability.
Here is a look at some highlights from EDF’s engagement at this year’s conference.
The Mesopelagic Zone
From 200 meters to 1,000 meters deep in the oceans lies the mesopelagic zone, known also as the ocean twilight zone. It may contain only 20 percent of the ocean’s volume, but don’t let that fool you, it also contains 90 percent of the ocean’s fish biomass, making it a significant source of biodiversity in the ocean. Plus, the species in the mesopelagic play a critical role in the functioning of the ocean’s biological carbon pump. By migrating up to the surface at night to feed and then returning to the mesopelagic, these creatures help to move carbon from the surface waters to the deep where it can be locked away, making them important climate allies.
There is increasing interest in fishing in the mesopelagic zone, particularly to try to tap into new sources for fishmeal and fish oil. So far, it has not been commercially viable to do so, but interest and pressure is mounting, which could threaten the wealth of biodiversity in the mesopelagic zone and the climate benefits it provides. There is much still to learn about this important part of the ocean, and we need to act now to protect these critical functions unless and until we can ensure that human activities wouldn’t jeopardize them.
At OOC, EDF and our partners at Ocean Conservancy, Marine Conservation Institute, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will host a roundtable, bringing together scientists, government representatives, and other relevant stakeholders focused on driving action in the mesopelagic zone.
The roundtable will also cover the IUCN Mesopelagic Motion, which will be voted on by IUCN members later this year at the 2025 World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi. The motion would pause the expansion of fishing and other activities that may impact mesopelagic species that are not currently commercially fished. That is, until we better understand mesopelagic ecosystems and the activities that affect them, establish proper rules and regulations for fisheries as well as transparent catch and bycatch reports. The motion also engages the IUCN’s networks and supports conservation efforts and calls for commitments by UN General Assembly resolutions.
Fishing Vessel Ocean Observing Network
The Fishing Vessel Ocean Observing Network (FVON) is working to advance ocean observing in partnership with the fishing industry around the world. The network, which consists of scientists, practitioners, and others, fills critical gaps in oceanographic data from coastal and shelf seas. Filling these gaps can have critical, sometimes life-saving, impacts through better predicting extreme weather events and improved fishery management.
At OOC, FVON is making an ambitious commitment to scale its initiative while continuing to return benefits to fishers:
By 2030, tens of thousands of fishing vessels around the world are collaborating with FVON in ocean observation. We will ensure that fishers receive direct benefits from data collection and work to drive a step-change improvement in our understanding of marine ecosystems that powers an equitable and sustainable blue economy.
With over 500 fishing vessels participating in FVON activities, ten pilot projects worldwide and an endorsement as an emerging network of the Global Ocean Observing System, FVON’s commitment represents a valuable step forward in sustainably managing and understanding our changing ocean.