On 4 October, One Earth Future (OEF) launched its latest research publication. The Stable Seas index is first and foremost aimed at improving maritime security and maritime governance. The presentation took place in the context of the Our Ocean conference in Malta where world leaders addressed a broad range of maritime issues.
The Stable Seas maritime security index is a first-of-its-kind effort to measure and map interconnected challenges to maritime security, such as illegal fishing, human trafficking, and illicit trade. The index, developed by OEF programmes OEF Research, Oceans Beyond Piracy and Secure Fisheries, initially focuses on the waters off the coast of sub-Saharan Africa, and analyzes 30 countries and their respective maritime domains.
It expands the analysis beyond the State of Maritime Piracy reports which Oceans Beyond Piracy has presented in previous years. Other OEF programmes have also published research publications related to a broad range of maritime issues such as IUU fishing or the blue economy as a whole.
Stable Seas highlights the importance of addressing threats to maritime security not as isolated issues, but as a network of interconnected activities. It also shows the necessity of cooperation and collaborative efforts by international and regional communities. Each country in sub-Saharan Africa has its own unique combination of maritime security strengths and challenges. This in-depth analysis aims to help coastal states identify areas for development and expanded cooperation.
Detailed findings are available on the Stable Seas website where OEF also provides in-depth explanations about the various categories that were examined for the inaugural report. Stable Seas will certainly be an important tool for governments looking to protect the resources off their coastlines.
