India recently signed “Treaty of the High Seas” or the international agreement called the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.
About Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement:
- It was adopted in 2023 and aims to enhance the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, commonly referred to as the high seas.
- This international treaty is a significant part of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
- The BBNJ Agreement supports the global target of protecting 30% of the world’s land and sea by 2030, established during the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework meeting.
Key Aspects of the BBNJ Agreement:
Objectives:
- To protect marine life in areas not owned by any nation, specifically those starting 370 kilometers from any coastline, which comprise roughly two-thirds of the world’s oceans.
- To ensure that the use of marine resources is sustainable and benefits are shared fairly among countries.
Features:
- Marine Protected Areas: The agreement allows for the definition and demarcation of ecologically sensitive zones to protect biodiversity-rich areas under stress.
- No Sovereign Rights: Parties cannot claim sovereign rights over marine resources derived from the high seas.
- Environmental Impact Assessments: It mandates assessments to mitigate harm to marine ecosystems from various activities.
- Capacity-Building: It encourages the transfer of marine technology and support for developing countries.
Significance for India:
- It enhances India’s strategic presence in marine areas beyond its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
- This contributes to achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water).
- The treaty strengthens India’s marine conservation efforts and opens new avenues for scientific research and collaboration.
- India can establish marine protected areas in the high seas and engage in sustainable resource management.
- India hosts over 2,492 marine fish species, with 91 endemic species and about 50 threatened species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
- Major threats include overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction, and dredging.
Ref: Source
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Frequently Asked Question:
What is the BBNJ Agreement?
The BBNJ Agreement, adopted in 2023, aims to enhance the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, commonly known as the high seas.
What is the significance of the BBNJ Agreement?
This international treaty is a crucial part of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and supports the global target of protecting 30% of the world’s land and sea by 2030.
Does the BBNJ Agreement allow for sovereign rights over marine resources?
No, parties to the agreement cannot claim sovereign rights over marine resources derived from the high seas.