The treaty, officially known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, creates the first international legal framework for establishing marine protected areas in international waters, which make up almost two-thirds of the world’s oceans.
Dr Judith Brown Projects Director, Blue Marine Foundation commented: ‘The UK’s ratification of the High Seas Treaty, joining more than 90 countries that have now formally adopted the agreement, is a major step forward for ocean protection. It mirrors the leadership the UK has already shown through the Blue Belt Programme, which has helped safeguard vast areas of ocean across its Overseas Territories.
‘With the treaty now entering implementation, attention must turn to delivering ambitious, highly protected marine protected areas on the high seas. The treaty provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect biodiversity across the two-thirds of the ocean beyond national borders, and we hope the UK will continue to lead by championing the strong protections needed to make that vision a reality.’
Read the full article from Environment Journal here.
