BIODIVERSITY
BEYOND NATIONAL JURISDICTION : ENVIRONMENT
NEWS
:
India signs agreement to protect marine life in the high seas
WHAT’S
IN THE NEWS ?
India has taken a big step to protect ocean life by
signing an important international agreement called the Biodiversity Beyond
National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, or the "Treaty of the High
Seas".
India
Signs the BBNJ Treaty:
- Date: September 25, 2024
- Location: United Nations General
Assembly, New York
- Signed by: S. Jaishankar, India’s
External Affairs Minister
- Global Participation: 91 countries have signed
so far
India’s
Involvement:
- Approved in July 2024
- Focus on marine biodiversity
protection
- Supports creation of marine
protected areas in high seas
- Promotes cooperation and
technology sharing
India’s
Marine Biodiversity:
- Species: 2,492+ marine fish species
(91 endemic)
- Threats: Overfishing, pollution,
habitat destruction, and dredging
- IUCN Status: 50 species threatened
Implications
for India:
- Expands presence beyond
Exclusive Economic Zone
- Enhances opportunities for
marine conservation
- Addresses ocean protection,
environmental damage, and biodiversity loss
About the
BBNJ Treaty (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction):
- Also Known As: Treaty of the High Seas
- Finalized: 2023 after 20 years of
negotiations
- Part of: UNCLOS (United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea)
Purpose:
- Protect marine biodiversity
in areas beyond national jurisdiction (high seas)
- Covers two-thirds of the
world’s oceans (starts 370 km from coastlines)
Key
Objectives:
- Conservation: Protect marine
biodiversity
- Equitable Sharing: Benefits from marine
genetic resources
- Marine Protected Areas: Establish high seas
conservation zones
- Environmental Impact: Assess impacts of
activities on marine ecosystems
- Capacity Building: Help developing countries
with marine technology
Main
Provisions:
- Marine Genetic Resources: Fair sharing of benefits
from genetic resources
- Marine Protected Areas: Process to create and designate
these areas
- Environmental Impact
Assessments:
Required for high seas activities
- Capacity Building: Support for developing
nations in marine conservation
- Traditional Knowledge: Recognizes traditional
knowledge in ocean conservation
Global
Context:
- Aligns with 30×30 Goal:
Protect 30% of the world’s land and sea by 2030
- Supports SDG 14 (Life
Below Water)
- Addresses climate change,
biodiversity loss, and ocean acidification
Implementation:
- Needs ratification by 60
countries to take effect
- Creates a Conference of
the Parties (COP) to oversee implementation
- Establishes a scientific and
technical advisory body
Significance:
- First legally binding treaty
for biodiversity in high seas
- Fills a gap in ocean
governance
- Promotes global cooperation
for high seas conservation