Protecting Ocean Ecosystems
The recently enforced UN treaty, finalized in March 2023 after 15 years of negotiations, signifies a major leap in protecting global biodiversity within
the high seas. This agreement, also known as Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), paves the way for a network of 'marine protected areas' across the vast, previously unregulated ocean ecosystems. The primary goal is to bring 30% of the oceans under formal protection by the year 2030. Environmentalists have identified that over 190,000 protected areas need to be established to achieve this objective. Currently, only approximately 8% of the oceans, or 29 million square kilometers, are protected. The treaty will provide countries with a legally binding framework to tackle threats like overfishing. It also allows countries to conduct environmental assessments of activities that have an impact on ocean ecology. The treaty has reached over 80 national ratifications, ensuring that it is as effective as possible and can achieve the global target.
Global Ratification & Impact
The treaty's journey to implementation highlights its significance and urgency. It reached the necessary threshold of 60 national ratifications on September 19th of the previous year, triggering its formal operation within 120 days. Since then, the number of ratifications has surged past 80, with major countries like China, Brazil, and Japan joining the agreement. With the vast area of ocean under its purview, the treaty will significantly impact the management and protection of marine resources. The agreement will create mechanisms that allow nations to share the benefits of the "blue economy," including "marine genetic resources" used in industries like biotechnology. Adam McCarthy, a first assistant secretary at the Australian foreign ministry and co-chair of the treaty's preparatory committee, noted that the treaty covers two-thirds of the ocean and half of the planet's surface. "We're really aiming for all UN member states to ratify the treaty," as Rebecca Hubbard, director of the High Seas Alliance, stated.
Addressing Critical Threats
The BBNJ treaty is designed to address a number of threats that jeopardize ocean health. However, there are limitations. The treaty will have little impact on the clamor to extract mineral resources from the ocean bed. The treaty's provisions will also allow nations to share the spoils of the "blue economy" including the marine genetic resources used in industries like biotechnology. It is important to note that the question of mining in the substrate or in the seabed falls under the jurisdiction of the International Seabed Authority (ISA). The framework includes conducting environmental assessments of activities that could impact ocean ecology. Nations like Britain and Australia are expected to follow, and the United States, although it signed the treaty previously, is yet to ratify it.
