RESOURCES
Publications & reports
Scientific articles, project partner reports, conference and workshop recordings
Shipping through protected waters on the High Seas: The Thermal Dome as a case study for future ocean governance
by MarViva Foundation
- January 28, 2026
Navigating the BBNJ Treaty: Some experiences from the Sargasso Sea
by David Freestone et al., Sargasso Sea Commission
- November 14, 2025
The Agreement on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction - Commentary and analysis
by David Freestone, Sargasso Sea Commission
- November 11, 2025
Documentary - Installation of smart buoys in the waters of the Thermal Dome
by MarViva Foundation
- October 15, 2025
Navigating the BBNJ Agreement: Sargasso Sea experience
by Sargasso Sea Commission
- August 28, 2025
Linking Activities, Pressures and Ecosystem: towards a DAPSIR assessment of the Thermal Dome
by Niklas Seckerdieck, University of Brest
- August 1, 2025
The role of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSA) as a crucial tool of ecosystem integrated management
by MarViva Foundation
- June, 2025
Development of an online course on biodiversity conservation in international oceanic spaces
by University of Brest
- June, 2025
Y si formalizamos una red de áreas marinas protegidas en el Pacífico Oriental?
by MarViva Foundation
- June, 2025
by MarViva Foundation
- June, 2025
Knows how eight smart buoys will measure the physical, chemical, and ecological properties of the Thermal Dome’s waters using 3D technology and advanced sensors. This initiative establishes an observational framework to support governance and dynamic management of the high seas. Brochure available in English and Spanish.
by MarViva Foundation
- June, 2025
While the High Seas Treaty and Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction comes into force, the Thermal Dome may be protected under the declaration of a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSMA). Here we explain how countries can apply to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Available in English and Spanish.
by David Freestone, Sargasso Sea Commission
- May 29, 2025
The United Nations Foundation, in partnership with Seascape Consultants Ltd, hosted a virtual gathering on May 29, 2025, to discuss how the International Maritime Organization (IMO) can leverage existing tools and measures to support the effective implementation of the BBNJ Agreement.
Ocean science in action: what is sustainable ocean planning and why must it be rooted in science?
Article by UN Ocean Decade
- April 18, 2025
Ocean science in action: what is sustainable ocean planning and why must it be rooted in science?
Video by UN Ocean Decade
- April 18, 2025
Why should the fisheries sector address it’s attention to the Thermal Dome
by MarViva Foundation
- March 11, 2025
Second BBNJ Symposium | Panel “Cooperation with Relevant Instruments, Frameworks and Bodies (IFBs) under the BBNJ Agreement”
by Sargasso Sea Commission, David Freestone
- February 19, 2025
Second BBNJ Symposium | Research Round table
by Sargasso Sea Commission, David Vousden
- February 18, 2025
by IUCN Ocean Team
- March 13, 2025
This summary brief is an overview of key action-oriented outcomes coming from the workshop discussions:
- Pathway(s) to achieving ABNJ Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
- The broader umbrella of integrated ocean governance through processes in other forums and MEA.
- Key considerations from the workshop to advise stakeholders in their work to advance BBNJ ABMT proposals. This includes ongoing processes to prepare the BBNJ Agreement for entry into force and early implementation, including the PrepCom.
The two-day workshop was organized by IUCN in september 2024.
by IUCN Ocean Team
- March 13, 2025
Full report on Area-Based Management Tools in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction based on common messages and issues that emerged throughout the sessions of the High Seas Workshop organised by IUCN in september 2024 focused on identifying and fleshing out activities to help prepare for the designation of ABMTs, including MPAs, under the BBNJ.
Preparatory data discovery and analysis to support enhanced management and governance of the Sargasso Sea: a technical report on the state of the ecosystem and human use pressures
by Duke, Sargasso Sea Commission
- December 16, 2024
Preparatory data discovery and analysis to support enhanced management and governance of the Sargasso Sea: a description of the feature in space and time
by Duke, Sargasso Sea Commission
- December 16, 2024
Oceanography of the Sargasso Sea: An update concerning the scientific case for protection of the Sargasso Sea
by BIOS, Sargasso Sea Commission
- December 16, 2024
¿Cómo aportar a los objetivos del tratado BBNJ en el contexto actual de gobernanza oceánica?
by MarViva Foundation, Sonia Angélica Jurado Caicedo
- November 21, 2024
Memorandum of Understanding OSPAR and the Sargasso Sea Commission
by Sargasso Sea Commission
- October 11, 2024
In August 2024 the Executive Secretaries of the OSPAR Commission and the Sargasso Sea Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for strengthened collaboration.
The Cost of Neglecting the Sargasso Sea
by Fae Sapsford
- August, 2024
The BBNJ Agreement contains the terms ‘stewardship’ and ‘inherent value’ in reference to the protection of ocean ABNJ. Both terms are situated in specific ethical contexts that give rise to different approaches to valuing, and ultimately protecting, ecosystems. The Sargasso Sea Commission is a useful case study for the application of stewardship and inherent value in the protection of ocean ABNJ, as it combines science, ecosystem valuation, and stakeholder engagement to achieve conservation outcomes.
by David Freestone, Kieran Bjergstrom, Kristina Gjerde, Patrick Halpin, Kevin Fleming, Andrew Hudson, Alex Rogers, Fae Sapsford, Vardis Tsontos, Jorge Vazquez-Cuervo, David Vousden
- August, 2024
This article examines the future governance of ABNJ in the wake of the new 2023 UN Agreement using the work on the Sargasso Sea as a prototype. After discussing the legal framework and current challenges facing the ABNJ regime, some details are provided on open ocean data collection technologies, including big data and artificial intelligence (AI), used in support of ocean governance.
Beyond Boundaries: PSSAs a complementary tool for BBNJ, the 30x30 and SDG 14
by MarViva, French Biodiversity Agency, University of Brest, French Facility for Global Environment
- June 7, 2024
Análisis del Impacto Económico del Domo Térmico en el Pacífico Tropical Oriental
by CINPE, MarViva Foundation
- June 4, 2024
The Story of Sarga - A scrollable adventure
by CarolAnne Black, Sargasso Sea Commission
- June 4, 2024
Do you know the thermal dome?
by MarViva Foundation
- June 7, 2024
Supplement to the daily newspaper La Nación –
Available in Spanish & English
Thermal Dome video
by MarViva Foundation
- June 3, 2024
Video displayed at the San José Airport, Costa Rica, during the Immersed in Change and CISOS Conferences.
Technical report: Analysis of the economic impact of the Thermal Dome in the Eastern Tropical Pacific
by MarViva Foundation
- May, 2024
A technical publication (available in Spanish and English) describing the Thermal Dome’s economic contribution to the Central American countries to provide input for the Socio-Economic Diagnostic Analysis (SEDA).
Author: Sonia Angélica Jurado Caicedo
Guidance document for understanding the BBNJ Agreement
by MarViva Foundation
- March 20, 2024
Discover here, in English and in Spanish, the new editorial contribution dedicated to disseminating knowledge and improving understanding of the BBNJ treaty, both for the general public and for the government officials responsible for its implementation, written by Sonia Angélica Jurado Caicedo, SARGADOM project coordinator at the MarViva Foundation, specialist in the fields of international affairs, environmental multilateralism, ocean governance, and sustainable development SARGADOM project coordinator at the MarViva Foundation and a specialized in the field.
Extended Post-Event Material IMO-WMU PSSA Workshop
by IMO-WMU-Nippon Foundation
- November 15, 2023
From 13 to 15 November 2023, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the World Maritime University (WMU) – Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (GOI) hosted a workshop in Costa Rica on Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSA) on the High Seas.
The workshop was delivered in collaboration with the Sargasso Sea Commission and MarViva, with support by The Nippon Foundation, the Global Environment Facility, United
Nations Developing Programme (UNDP), SARGADOM and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO).
Lessons learned from ABNJ initiatives and treaties
by MarViva Foundation, OFB, Sargasso Sea Commission
- October 7, 2023
Biodiversité marine, vers un nouveau traité de l’ONU
by Bailly D., Cadalen P-Y., Guilloux B., Leclerc T. & Richard J.
- April 4, 2023
An Analysis of Policy Options Available to the International Maritime Organization to Protect the Costa Rica Thermal Dome: Building the Case for a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area
by Richard Castillo Rodríguez, Jorge Jiménez, Katherine Arroyo Arce, Katie R. Thompson
- January 19, 2023
Area-based management tools in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction: Time to be bold, visionary and pragmatic for the benefit of humankind and the ocean
by Gjerde K., Payne C., Freestone D., Pasquero J., Ortuno Crespo G., Epps M., Chazot C. and Spadone A.
- 2022
Ocean Diplomacy: The Setting up of the Sargasso Sea Commission
by David Freestone & Fae Sapsford
- December, 2022
IUCN commentary on the further revised draft text of an agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction
by IUCN, David Freestone
- August 8, 2022
Interactive dialogue 7: Enhancing the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
by Sargasso Sea Commission
- June, 2022
Interactive dialogue 7: Enhancing the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
by MarViva Foundation
- June, 2022
The Sargasso Sea High Seas EBSA After Ten Years: Is It Still Relevant and How Has It Helped Conservation Efforts?
by Howard S.J. Roe, David Freestone and Fae Sapsford
- June 24, 2022
Contribute to a hybrid governance to protect and manage remarkable areas of the high seas: the Thermal Dome and Sargasso Sea (SARGADOM project)
by MarViva Foundation, OFB, Sargasso Sea Commission, UBO
- June, 2022
Governance of High Seas Ecosystems: Big Data & AI
by Dr Kieran N Bjergstrom & Kevin P Fleming
- April 29, 2022
Rendez-vous à New-York ! La gouvernance de la haute mer et la protection de sa biodiversité !
by University of Brest
- February 10, 2022
Workshop Ocean governance responding to change
by Denis Bailly, University of Brest
- February 9, 2022
The Sargasso Sea Commission: An Evolving New Paradigm for High Seas Ecosystem Governance?
by David Freestone, Sargasso Sea Commission
- June 16, 2021
Advancing the Central American marine agenda: the case of the Thermal Dome
by MarViva Foundation
- April 10, 2021
Conserving the Golden Rainforest of the Atlantic: the Sargasso Sea GEF/FFEM project
by David Freestone, Sargasso Sea Commission
- March 10, 2021
High Seas and Coastal Linkages: the Case of the Costa Rica Thermal Dome
by Jorge Jiménez and Katherine Arroyo, MarViva Foundation
- January 13, 2021
Contributing to hybrid governance to protect and manage remarkable areas on the high seas: Tropical East Pacific and Northwest Atlantic Oceans
by Teresa Mackey, Sargasso Sea Commission and Katherine Arroyo MarViva Foundation
- December 1, 2020
Press Review
- To mine or not to mine the seabed? At the forefront of the debate in Jamaica, a researcher from Brest explains what’s at stake
- July 27, 2023
- ‘One of the most important talks no one has heard of’: why the high seas treaty matters
- February 28, 2023
- Traité sur la protection de la haute mer : quelles avancées et quels blocages à l’Onu ?
- August 31, 2022
- À Brest, Océanopolis sera la porte d’entrée du sommet mondial des océans One Ocean Summit
- February 4, 2022
- Multimillion dollar grant awarded to protect Sargasso Sea – The Royal Gazette – Bermuda News, Business, Sports, Events, & Community
- February 9, 2021
Factsheet
Click here to access the project presentation sheet. Feel free to spread the word!
YouTube content
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