India signs agreement to protect marine life in the high seas

India signs agreement to protect marine life in the high seas

Sub: IR

Context:

• India signs the BBJN Treaty.
• Signed by: S Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister
• Date: September 25, 2024
• Location: United Nations General Assembly, New York
• 91 countries have signed so far

India’s Involvement:

• Approved joining in July 2024
• Aims to improve marine biodiversity protection
• Allows creation of marine protected areas in high seas
• Promotes cooperation and technology sharing

India’s Marine Biodiversity:

• 2,492+ marine fish species (91 endemic to Indian waters)
• 50 species considered threatened by IUCN
• Main threats: overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction, dredging

Implications for India:

• Strengthens India’s presence beyond its Exclusive Economic Zone
• New opportunities for marine conservation
• Addresses ocean protection, fairness, environmental damage, climate change, and biodiversity loss

About the BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement) Treaty:

• Also Known As: “Treaty of the High Seas”
• Adopted: After 20 years of discussions, finalised in 2023
• Part of: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

Purpose and Scope

• Aims to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction
• Covers approximately two-thirds of the world’s oceans
• This applies to areas starting 370 kilometres (200 nautical miles) from coastlines

Key Objectives

1. Conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity
2. Fair and equitable sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources
3. Establishment of area-based management tools, including marine protected areas
4. Conducting environmental impact assessments for activities in the high seas
5. Capacity-building and transfer of marine technology

Main Provisions

1. Marine Genetic Resources:
   • Ensures fair sharing of benefits from the exploitation of marine genetic resources
   • Promotes access to marine genetic resources for research and development
2. Area-Based Management Tools:
   • Allows for the creation of marine protected areas in the high seas
   • Establishes a process for identifying and designating these areas
3. Environmental Impact Assessments:
   • Requires countries to assess the potential impact of activities before conducting them in the high seas
   • Aims to prevent harm to marine ecosystems
4. Capacity Building and Technology Transfer:
   • Promotes cooperation between countries
   • Supports developing countries in conserving and sustainably using marine biodiversity
5. Traditional Knowledge:
   • Recognizes the importance of traditional knowledge in ocean conservation
   • Encourages the integration of traditional and scientific knowledge

Global Context

• Supports the target of protecting 30% of the world’s land and sea by 2030 (30×30 goal)
• Aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water)
• Addresses global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and ocean acidification

Implementation

• Requires ratification by 60 countries to enter into force
• Establishes a Conference of the Parties (COP) to make decisions on implementation
• Creates a scientific and technical body to provide advice

Significance

• First international legally binding instrument specifically for biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction
• Fills a crucial gap in ocean governance
• Provides a framework for global cooperation in high seas conservation

Source: DTE