ON January 17, the first world’s global treaty to protect ocean life in international waters entered into force.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) in a statement highlighted that the treaty brings into effect legally binding rules for the sustainable use and management of marine resources in the high seas.
Once known as the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Area beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), the treaty addresses marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits and measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas.
The treaty also addresses environmental impact assessments and capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology.
IMO Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez welcomed the treaty.
“The world has demonstrated that countries can come together with a common vision and build a framework to manage the ocean sustainably while ensuring its benefits are shared fairly amongst all humanity,” he said.
“Now we must continue working together to put these rules into action. IMO is ready to support the BBNJ implementation within IMO’s sphere of expertise.”
The organisation highlights that ships trading across the world’s oceans are subject to stringent environmental, safety and security rules, which apply throughout their voyage.
According to IMO, it has developed more than 50 globally binding treaties and other measures to support shipping’s sustainable use of the oceans, enforced through a well-established system of flag, coastal and port state control.
The organisation’s instruments that actively contribute to the conservation of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction include the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution by Ships (MARPOL), the International Ballast Water Management Convention and the London Convention and Protocol, regulating the dumping of wastes at sea.
The organisation describes that a new legally binding framework is currently being developed to address ships’ biofouling and to minimise the transfer of invasive aquatic species.
The BBNJ Agreement, according to IMO enters into force following its adoption in June 2023 – a culmination of decades of negotiations and preparatory works.
More than 80 nations have ratified the Agreement to date, including Fiji.
Fiji had signed the BBNJ agreement in September 2023. The signing showed government’s unwavering dedication to ocean conservation and the responsible management of marine resources.
