On December 24th, 2020, the United Nations General Assembly took a historic step towards safeguarding marine life in the high seas by adopting the first-ever treaty on the matter. The treaty, known as the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, or simply the BBNJ agreement, aims to protect marine life in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
The high seas, which make up two-thirds of the world’s oceans and cover almost half of the Earth’s surface, are areas that lie beyond the jurisdiction of any single country. These areas are home to a vast array of marine life, including whales, sharks, and sea turtles, as well as important ecosystems such as deep-sea corals and seamounts. However, these areas are also under threat from overfishing, pollution, and climate change.
The BBNJ agreement seeks to address these threats by establishing a framework for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The agreement covers a range of issues, including the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems, the management of fisheries, the prevention and reduction of marine pollution, and the transfer of marine technology.
One of the key provisions of the agreement is the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) in areas beyond national jurisdiction. MPAs are designated areas where human activities are restricted or prohibited in order to protect marine biodiversity and ecosystem function. The BBNJ agreement calls for the creation of a new international body to oversee the establishment and management of MPAs in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
The BBNJ agreement also includes provisions for the sharing of benefits from the use of marine genetic resources. These resources, which include genes, proteins, and other biological materials found in marine organisms, have significant potential for use in fields such as medicine, biotechnology, and agriculture. The agreement calls for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from the use of these resources, with a particular focus on the needs of developing countries.
The adoption of the BBNJ agreement represents a significant milestone in the global effort to protect marine life in the high seas. The agreement has been under negotiation for over a decade, and its adoption is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the many individuals and organizations involved in the process.
However, the work is far from over. The BBNJ agreement must now be ratified by at least 30 countries before it can enter into force. Once in force, the agreement will provide a much-needed framework for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
In conclusion, the adoption of the BBNJ agreement represents a historic step towards safeguarding marine life in the high seas. The agreement provides a framework for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, including the establishment of marine protected areas and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of marine genetic resources. While there is still much work to be done, the adoption of this treaty is an important step towards ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the beauty and diversity of our oceans.
