GLOBAL efforts to protect the ocean took a leap today with the signing of an agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) was officially ratified.
The BBNJ agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty, provides a legal framework for creating and managing marine protected areas on the high seas, which constitutes two thirds of the global ocean, and covers almost half the surface of the planet.
Kevin Chand, the Senior Director of Pacific Ocean Policy at Pristine Seas, said the BBNJ agreement taking effect was an important step forward in ocean protection.
“We’re excited to see Pacific countries who have shown tremendous leadership in national protection, translate their efforts to the high seas,’’ Chhand said.
“Now, they have the legal tools through the BBNJ agreement to do so. While it is important that all types of ocean areas are protected – both nearshore and far out to sea – this is a historic step toward safeguarding the ocean.”
Formally adopted in June 2023, following more than two decades of negotiations, the treaty required at least 60 countries to officially ratify it to trigger its entry into full force – prompting a subsequent race to ratification.
Palau was the first country to ratify the BBNJ, with Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, the Maldives, and Chile following shortly behind.
The Pacific have been leaders through the negotiation race to ratification. Palau was the first country to ratify the treaty, with Fiji, The Federated States of Micronesia, The Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu signing early on.