Implementing the New Arctic Fisheries Agreement

Abstract

The Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean represents an unusual development in both international fisheries policy and Arctic governance. Signed by nine States and the European Union in October 2018, the Agreement serves as a prime example of the “precautionary approach” in action, an effort to avoid a serious problem before it arises. The Agreement also takes its place among a remarkable number of international initiatives to strengthen ocean governance in general and governance of the Arctic Ocean in particular. The task now is to ensure effective implementation of the Agreement, as well as to coordinate such implementation with other ongoing developments in the Arctic.