UK government is to introduce a landmark bill to protect two-thirds of the world’s ocean, marking a major step forward in global efforts to protect marine life and ecosystems beyond national borders.
In 2023, the UK signed up to the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement – widely referred to as the High Seas Treaty. The new bill will provide the legal framework to enable the country to meet the obligations of the BBNJ Agreement, which is required before the UK can ratify the agreement and join other countries that have supported the international treaty.
The BBNJ Agreement will create a legal mechanism to set up protected zones in areas beyond national jurisdiction, helping to protect marine life and habitats in parts of the ocean that have previously been vulnerable to overuse and exploitation.
“Our ocean and all the precious life in it face irreversible destruction from overfishing and runaway pollution. This historic treaty will safeguard some of the ocean’s most vulnerable habitats and marine life, and help protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 as part of our Plan for Change,” UK Marine Minister Emma Hardy said.
Seema Malhotra, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, commented: “Our oceans are under pressure, it’s undeniable. Unsustainable fishing, global warming, pollution – all threaten to deplete the marine biodiversity we all value and rely upon. By introducing the BBNJ Bill in parliament, we are delivering security for the UK, in line with our Plan for Change – and fulfilling our pledge to introduce legislation by the end of the year.”
According to the government statement, sharks, whales, sea turtles and many other ocean species will benefit from stronger protection, with the measures supporting the recovery of marine ecosystems and helping build a healthier, thriving ocean.
The agreement also sets out the fair sharing of benefits from the collection of and research into the genetic material of marine organisms, which may be used in medicines, cosmetics, agriculture and biotechnology.
The legislation will help the UK meet targets set out by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including the target to protect 30% of the planet’s ocean by 2030. It also reinforces the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the foundation for international ocean governance.
It further realises a pledge made at the end of the third UN Ocean Conference in June.
Following the passing of the bill, further secondary legislation will be required before the BBNJ Agreement can be ratified by the UK.
The government’s move to ratify the agreement has been welcomed by WWF.
In a statement, Rod Downie, Chief Adviser for Polar and Oceans at WWF-UK, said: “This is hugely welcome progress towards ratification of the High Seas Treaty. This is a landmark global treaty which will help to protect marine life in vast areas of international waters from the combined threats of overfishing, climate change and pollution – and contribute towards the government’s goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030.”
Downie continued: “This is an extremely important announcement, and we’re delighted it’s the first action in parliament by the new Foreign Secretary – we hope it confirms that the UK government reshuffle has done nothing to lower ambition to tackle the nature and climate crisis.”
