Fishing in the Twilight Zone: illuminating governance challenges at the next fisheries frontier

The mesopelagic, or "twilight zone" - the waters of the open ocean at a depth of approximately 150-1, 000 metres - hosts significant fish stocks. These fish are unpalatable but proposals are emerging ...


Fishing in the Twilight Zone: illuminating governance challenges at the next fisheries frontier preview
Preview of Fishing in the Twilight Zone: illuminating governance challenges at the next fisheries frontier

Abstract

The mesopelagic, or "twilight zone" - the waters of the open ocean at a depth of approximately 150-1, 000 metres - hosts significant fish stocks. These fish are unpalatable but proposals are emerging to process them into fishmeal and nutritional supplements. As this vast midwater realm plays a role in the carbon cycle and food webs, the development of new fisheries could have global ramifications. Yet our scientific understanding is limited and the existing governance framework may not be ready to effectively manage mesopelagic fisheries. This webinar introduces the science and ecology of the mesopelagic zone and explores the potential governance challenges for the sustainable development of new fisheries.

Abstract

The mesopelagic, or “twilight zone” - the waters of the open ocean at a depth of approximately 150-1, 000 metres - hosts significant fish stocks. These fish are unpalatable but proposals are emerging to process them into fishmeal and nutritional supplements. As this vast midwater realm plays a role in the carbon cycle and food webs, the development of new fisheries could have global ramifications. Yet our scientific understanding is limited and the existing governance framework may not be ready to effectively manage mesopelagic fisheries.

This webinar introduces the science and ecology of the mesopelagic zone and explores the potential governance challenges for the sustainable development of new fisheries.

Publication Details

Year: 2020

Keywords

moderator, organiser