Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) otherwise known as the ‘high seas’ cover nearly half of the world’s surface, yet they lack comprehensive governance frameworks to manage environmental protection, resource exploitation and marine activities.
For Governments across the world, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Ecologically, the high seas contain a vast array of marine biodiversity including migratory species and benthic eco-systems, which are often not found anywhere else in the world.
Environmentally, we are starting to understand the importance of these waters. This includes carbon sequestration and storage and heat absorption; all of which may help to mitigate impacts of climate change.
Economically, these waters offer potential. The high seas contain valuable fish stocks, rare earth minerals and marine genetic materials used in medicine and biotechnology. Yet, without a legal governance structure in place, these waters have faced increased amounts of exploitation as technology improves, without a full understanding of the lasting impacts.
The BBNJ Agreement has been nearly 20 years in the making. It has been developed through the United Nations and marks the first step towards regulation of the high seas. It aims to address the gaps in international law regarding the management of activities in ABNJ, promoting cooperation and environmental protection.
Following the announcement of the Agreement in 2023, I am very pleased to see that the UK Government has ratified the Agreement by announcing the BBNJ Bill earlier this month.
The Bill will create a legal framework covering three distinct areas.
Firstly, the Bill will provide provision for the designation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) within the high seas, enabling effective conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity.
Secondly, the Bill will provide a regulated mechanism for fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from the extraction of marine genetic resources. This refers to marine DNA and other organic material which is currently unregulated. There is, however, huge potential in this sector supporting pharmaceutical and medicinal research, with Welsh universities playing a key role in a managed and sustainable way.
Finally, the Bill will also amend the extent of existing regulatory regimes, specifically the Environmental Impact Assessment regulations. This will support decision-making concerned with the management of significant impacts to the marine environment. It is proposed that certain projects in the marine environment may need to assess any potential significant impacts to ABNJ, ensuring the protection of biodiversity and the sustainable management of natural resources.
I am committed to protecting 30% of land and sea in Wales by 2030, a goal set at the Conference of Parties 15 (COP 15) through the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. I am also committed to delivering on our goals set out in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. This demonstrates our vision for a Wales which is globally responsible in the action it takes on marine conservation. But this shouldn’t stop at our borders. I am pleased to see this Bill being developed to enable regulated mechanisms in ABNJ and the potential for increased connectivity between national and international protected sites.
Additionally, this presents an opportunity for Welsh universities to collaborate on marine-based research on a global scale, creating a stable and more predictable international environment.
Whilst I recognise, this is the first step of many, it is an important commitment towards international conservation of our seas. Welsh Government will continue to play a part in these efforts to ensure our seas both nationally and internationally are healthy, clean and biologically diverse for current and future generations.
This statement is being issued during recess to keep Members informed. Should Members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.