Protecting Our Shared Atlantic Heritage
The Atlantic Ocean Governance Council (AOGC) is an intergovernmental organization established to promote sustainable management, conservation, and equitable governance of Atlantic Ocean resources for the benefit of present and future generations.
Learn About Our Mission Access Ocean DataKey Atlantic Ocean Statistics
Latest News & Announcements
New Transatlantic Marine Protected Area Established
AOGC members approve creation of the North Atlantic Current MPA, covering 450,000 km² of ecologically significant habitat.
Read more →2024 Atlantic Fisheries Report Released
Annual report shows sustainable recovery of North Atlantic cod stocks, with catch limits increased by 15% for 2025 season.
Access report →AOGC and EU Launch Joint Climate Initiative
New €250M "Atlantic Blue Carbon" program aims to protect and restore coastal ecosystems across the Atlantic basin.
Learn more →About the Atlantic Ocean Governance Council
The Atlantic Ocean Governance Council (AOGC) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to promoting the sustainable management, conservation, and equitable governance of the Atlantic Ocean and its resources. Established in 2010 through the Treaty of Halifax, the AOGC brings together coastal and island states bordering the Atlantic Ocean to address shared challenges and opportunities.
Our Mandate
The AOGC's mandate, as defined in the Treaty of Halifax, includes:
- Promoting sustainable fisheries management and preventing overfishing
- Facilitating international cooperation on marine scientific research
- Developing and implementing regional marine pollution prevention measures
- Establishing and managing transboundary marine protected areas
- Addressing climate change impacts on Atlantic marine ecosystems
- Promoting equitable sharing of marine genetic resources
Organizational Structure
The AOGC operates through several principal organs:
Atlantic Ocean Governance Council
Interactive Map of Member States and AOGC Initiatives
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Member States of the Atlantic Ocean Governance Council
The AOGC currently has 42 member states, including coastal states bordering the Atlantic Ocean and relevant island nations. Membership is open to any state that subscribes to the principles of the Treaty of Halifax and is committed to sustainable ocean governance.
Full Member States
| Country | Year Joined | Exclusive Economic Zone (km²) | Contribution (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2010 | 11,351,000 | 18.5% |
| Portugal | 2010 | 1,727,408 | 4.2% |
| United Kingdom | 2010 | 6,805,586 | 8.7% |
| Brazil | 2011 | 3,660,955 | 7.9% |
| Canada | 2010 | 5,599,077 | 9.1% |
| Morocco | 2012 | 575,230 | 2.3% |
| South Africa | 2012 | 1,535,538 | 4.1% |
| Argentina | 2011 | 1,159,063 | 3.8% |
Regional Groupings
Member states are organized into four regional groupings for coordination purposes:
Policies, Treaties & Agreements
The AOGC develops and implements a range of binding agreements and voluntary measures to promote sustainable ocean governance across the Atlantic basin. These instruments are developed through a consensus-based approach among member states.
Key AOGC Legal Instruments
| Instrument | Year Adopted | Status | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treaty of Halifax (AOGC Charter) | 2010 | In force (42 parties) | Establishes AOGC and its fundamental principles |
| Convention on Transboundary Fish Stocks | 2014 | In force (38 parties) | Management of shared fish stocks in the Atlantic |
| Atlantic Marine Protected Areas Protocol | 2017 | In force (31 parties) | Framework for establishing and managing MPAs |
| Agreement on Marine Pollution Prevention | 2019 | In force (35 parties) | Regional measures to reduce land-based and ship-source pollution |
| Climate Change Adaptation Framework | 2022 | Provisional application | Coordinated response to climate impacts on marine ecosystems |
Current Policy Initiatives
Deep-Sea Mining Moratorium
Proposed 10-year moratorium on commercial deep-sea mining in Atlantic international waters pending further environmental impact assessments.
View draft text →Atlantic Marine Debris Action Plan
Comprehensive regional strategy to reduce marine plastic pollution by 50% by 2030 through prevention, cleanup, and circular economy approaches.
Download PDF →Proposed Shipping Corridors
Designation of "Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas" and rerouting of major shipping lanes to reduce impacts on whale migration routes.
Submit comments →Research, Data & Publications
The AOGC coordinates and disseminates scientific research and data to support evidence-based policymaking for the Atlantic Ocean. Our data portal provides access to oceanographic, ecological, and socioeconomic datasets collected through AOGC monitoring programs and research initiatives.
AOGC Ocean Data Portal
Real-time and historical data from Atlantic monitoring stations
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Key Datasets & Monitoring Programs
Recent Publications
| Publication | Date | Type | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| State of the Atlantic Ocean 2023 Report | April 2024 | Assessment | PDF (12MB) |
| North Atlantic Right Whale Conservation Plan | March 2024 | Conservation Plan | PDF (4.2MB) |
| Atlantic Blue Economy Assessment 2024 | February 2024 | Economic Study | PDF (8.7MB) |
| Deep-Sea Coral Mapping Initiative: Final Report | January 2024 | Research Report | PDF (15.3MB) |
| Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture in the Atlantic | December 2023 | Guidelines | PDF (3.1MB) |
Contact the Atlantic Ocean Governance Council
Send a Message
Regional Offices
The AOGC maintains regional offices to facilitate engagement with member states and stakeholders:
North Atlantic Office
Location: Halifax, Canada
Contact: +1 902 494 8000
Jurisdiction: Canada, United States, Greenland
South Atlantic Office
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Contact: +27 21 487 3200
Jurisdiction: South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Brazil, Argentina
West Africa Office
Location: Dakar, Senegal
Contact: +221 33 889 5400
Jurisdiction: All West African member states