Latest news with #UNHighSeasTreaty
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Over 100 marine megafauna struggle for survival, despite global protections
Source: The oceans are home to iconic marine megafauna , including majestic whales, ancient turtles, agile seals, and powerful sharks. These incredible water creatures sit at the very top of the ocean food webs, playing a crucial role in maintaining balanced and healthy marine ecosystems. But now, over 100 marine megafaunal species are facing mounting threats as increasing human pressure dramatically reshapes their home—the vast and fragile ocean environment. According to recent research conducted by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and the Australian National University (ANU) has carefully tracked the movements of these megafaunal species throughout the oceans to pinpoint the most important areas that require urgent and focused conservation efforts. About marine megafaunal species Marine megafauna are the giants of the ocean—large animals like whales, dolphins, sharks, sea turtles, and giant rays. These creatures aren't just beautiful and captivating; they're essential. They play critical roles in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. Their presence supports biodiversity and helps oceans function as stable, resilient ecosystems. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Fastest Selling Plots of Mysore from 40L | 40+ Amenities PurpleBrick Learn More Undo Sea creatures like whales help circulate nutrients by diving deep and then surfacing to breathe, effectively stirring the ocean layers. Sea turtles keep seagrass beds healthy by grazing. Despite their importance, these marine megafauna face mounting threats from human activity. Overfishing, ship strikes, entanglement in plastic waste, noise pollution, and habitat loss all harm marine animals. Many of these animals are long-lived and slow to reproduce, so their numbers can't quickly bounce back once harmed. Climate change compounds these challenges by warming waters and disrupting migration and breeding patterns. Efforts to protect endangered marine megafauna According to reports, Sequeira in 2020 launched the MegaMove project, which aims to unite the marine movement ecology community to confront the urgent challenges facing ocean life. Sequeira said, 'MegaMove brings together an international network of researchers to provide innovative research to advance the global conservation of marine megafauna.' She explained, 'Our research shows that, in addition to protected areas, implementing mitigation strategies like changing fishing gear, using different lights in nets, and creating traffic schemes for ships will be key to alleviating current human pressure on these species.' Hidden routes of the big ocean creatures Currently, marine protected areas (MPAs) cover just eight percent of the world's oceans. However, the UN High Seas Treaty aims to expand that coverage to 30 percent. This new study shows that while the 30 percent goal is important, it may not be enough. The research team tracked animal movements to find areas critical for feeding, breeding, and migration. 'The impacts of a changing ocean on marine megafauna are already evident,' said Camrin Braun, assistant scientist and ocean ecologist at WHOI. 'Our recent work tracking marine predators, including an earlier WHOI-led study, indicates that changes in the ocean are expected to fundamentally alter the status quo for where these species are and how they live.' Getting ready for a changing ocean The study connects closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 14, which focuses on life below water. By combining large-scale tracking data and coordinated international efforts, this research offers a clear path forward—a future where marine megafauna continue to thrive alongside a growing human presence on the seas Also read | Astronomers discover high-altitude clouds darkening skies in YSES-1 system
Barnama
11-06-2025
- General
- Barnama
Malaysia And The UN High Seas Treaty: What's Next?
T he third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), now underway in Nice, France, has brought together around 200 world leaders to tackle urgent challenges facing the world's oceans. Running from June 9 to 13, the summit aims to accelerate global action to protect marine ecosystems and promote the sustainable use of ocean resources — a timely moment as Malaysia weighs whether to ratify the new UN High Seas Treaty. Following previous conferences in New York (2017) and Lisbon (2022), this year's summit — the world's largest ocean-focused gathering — is held under the theme 'Accelerating Action and Mobilising All Actors to Conserve and Sustainably Use the Ocean.' The summit aims to strengthen protection and sustainable use of oceans, seas and marine resources, particularly by advancing implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14): Life Below Water. The conference is also focused on three core objectives: conserving marine biodiversity, eliminating harmful fisheries subsidies, and advancing the global '30 by 30' target. (The 30 by 30 target, a key element of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted in 2022, seeks to protect at least 30 per cent of the world's land and 30 per cent of its oceans by 2030. This target, officially referred to as Target 3 within the Framework, is part of a larger effort to address biodiversity loss and achieve a world living in harmony with nature by 2050.) Yet today, only 2.7 per cent of the world's oceans are effectively protected from extractive activities, according to the Marine Conservation Institute — far short of the 30 by 30 goal. With mounting pressure on marine and coastal ecosystems — now increasingly visible both for marine life and for the communities that depend on them — UNOC3 is seen as a critical milestone in reviving international cooperation and boosting collective action for the ocean. One key priority is to secure at least 60 national ratifications needed to bring into force the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, also known as the BBNJ Agreement or High Seas Treaty. Adopted on June 19, 2023, the High Seas Treaty aims to protect the high seas — waters beyond countries' exclusive economic zones (EEZs), which extend up to 370 nautical miles from shore — and safeguard marine ecosystems in these international waters. The treaty also contains provisions for countries to share marine genetic resources collected through scientific research in international waters. As of June 10, 2025, 49 countries have ratified the BBNJ Agreement — with Singapore the only ASEAN country among them — according to the High Seas Alliance Treaty Ratification Progress. The deadline to reach the 60-country threshold is Sept 20. MALAYSIA'S COMMITMENT TO THE HIGH SEAS TREATY Malaysia signed UNCLOS on Dec 10, 1982, and ratified it on Oct 14, 1996 — but has yet to sign or ratify the High Seas Treaty. Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia's Faculty of Syariah and Law, International Law Unit Coordinator Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Hazmi Mohd Rusli, said the treaty represents a valuable opportunity for Malaysia to continue playing a leadership role in global environmental diplomacy, as one of the world's 17 megadiverse countries. Malaysia has historically played an active leadership role in biodiversity-related multilateral agreements, he said, citing the country's push for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1994 and the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources. The treaty could help protect oceans from environmental degradation caused by deep seabed mining (DSM) for metals such as silver, gold, copper, manganese, cobalt, and zinc, he added. 'DSM activities in the high seas can affect fish stocks, ocean health — and their impacts can even reach our own waters. 'With the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) mandated under the treaty, there will be stronger protections for marine ecosystems, which are essential for both our food security and long-term ocean health,' he told Bernama in an email interview. He noted that the treaty also promotes fair benefit-sharing from marine genetic resources found in international waters. 'As a developing country, Malaysia stands to benefit from capacity building, technology transfer, and having a voice in how these resources are used and shared,' he said. However, Mohd Hazmi cautioned that delaying treaty ratification could damage Malaysia's international reputation and weaken its position on sustainable ocean governance. "Especially when countries like Singapore are moving forward (already ratified the high seas treaty). 'We should not follow the United States (US) example of failing to ratify UNCLOS — a treaty now widely regarded as customary international law. 'The High Seas Treaty, while not yet universally followed, complements UNCLOS by focusing on marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction,' he added. ASEAN BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION WWF-Malaysia Policy Lead, Shantini Guna Rajan, said that as pressures on ocean ecosystems continue to grow, Malaysia's support for the treaty would signal its commitment to addressing key gaps in global ocean governance. As a maritime nation, Malaysia's commitment to the High Seas Treaty would also create opportunities for international collaboration and capacity-building in ocean governance and sustainability, she said. "It would solidify Malaysia's leadership in marine conservation and sustainable development, while demonstrating its commitment to collaborative, multilateral solutions to the global crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and ocean pollution," she said. She also highlighted the treaty's Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) provisions, which aim to ensure that all parties — particularly developing nations — receive fair and equitable benefits from marine genetic resources (MGRs) found in the high seas. 'These resources have potential applications in medicine, biotechnology, and agriculture — but until now have largely been accessed freely by a small number of technologically advanced states. 'The ABS mechanism mandates the sharing of both monetary benefits (such as royalties and licensing fees) and non-monetary benefits (including scientific knowledge, capacity building, and technology transfer). "This fosters greater global equity, supports innovation through collaborative research, and ensures that the economic gains from the high seas are shared in a manner that contributes to sustainable development and global scientific progress," she said. PROTECTING OCEAN HEALTH IN A TRANSBOUNDARY CONTEXT Dr Khaira Ismail, Deputy Director of the Blue Economy Advancement Centre (UMTBEACON) at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, said that while Malaysia's jurisdiction does not extend to the high seas, the environmental impact assessment (EIA) framework under the BBNJ treaty can help safeguard marine ecosystems — including those within Malaysia's own waters — by protecting ocean health at a transboundary level. 'Due to the interconnected nature of ocean ecosystems, activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) can still affect regional biodiversity and migratory species that traverse into Malaysian waters. 'Supporting a standardised, transparent framework for EIAs on the high seas allows Malaysia to advocate the precautionary principle and contribute scientific expertise — particularly through our research institutions — to help protect ocean health in a transboundary context,' she said. She noted that the ocean covers nearly 70 per cent of the Earth's surface and is home to extraordinary biodiversity and natural resources that are vital for the planet's climate and economy. 'Yet, beyond national borders, efforts to protect the ocean have historically been fragmented and insufficient.' Malaysia, she added, does not lack the expertise, capability, or legal legitimacy to be influential in ABNJ governance. 'Our scientists, legal experts, and diplomats are well-positioned to make meaningful contributions. What we lack is not capacity — but a sense of urgency, political prioritisation, and a coherent policy framework. 'Engaging with the BBNJ treaty is not about short-term gains, but about securing long-term influence and ensuring our national interests are reflected in how shared ocean spaces are governed. Sitting on the sidelines is not a strategy,' she said. She said the BBNJ treaty provides a platform for developing countries like Malaysia to help shape fair and inclusive governance rules for MGRs. 'Malaysia's participation can ensure that benefit-sharing mechanisms under the treaty consider the needs of capacity-limited countries, while also promoting scientific collaboration, access to data, and fair technology transfer. 'This positions Malaysia not just as a user of such resources, but also as an advocate for equitable governance,' she said. THE NEED FOR A NATIONAL OCEAN POLICY UMT's Faculty of Maritime Studies senior lecturer, Dr Izyan Munirah Mohd Zaideen emphasised that if Malaysia were to commit to the High Seas Treaty, it should first adopt a National Ocean Policy (NOP) to centralise maritime and marine governance. 'Malaysia is a maritime nation strategically located along key international shipping routes linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and is surrounded by vital marine resources that support coastal communities and national food security. 'Malaysia should intensify efforts to utilise these advantages sustainably and strengthen its standing as a leading maritime nation. 'However, it must be noted that the government currently lacks an inclusive strategy or specialised framework to oversee ocean activities effectively,' she told Bernama recently. She said the existing sectoral approach to ocean governance has resulted in jurisdictional overlaps and fragmented legal provisions, with multiple agencies overseeing different aspects of ocean activity. 'Better coordination of ocean and coastal resource management is critical for balancing development and economic activity with environmental protection. 'Establishing a NOP should be the foundation for comprehensive ocean governance — and should come before committing to any new international agreement, including the High Seas Treaty,' she stressed.
The Star
11-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Malaysia and the UN High Seas Treaty: What's next?
KUALA LUMPUR: The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), now underway in Nice, France, has brought together around 200 world leaders to tackle urgent challenges facing the world's oceans. Running from June 9 to 13, the summit aims to accelerate global action to protect marine ecosystems and promote the sustainable use of ocean resources - a timely moment as Malaysia weighs whether to ratify the new UN High Seas Treaty. Following previous conferences in New York (2017) and Lisbon (2022), this year's summit - the world's largest ocean-focused gathering - is held under the theme 'Accelerating Action and Mobilising All Actors to Conserve and Sustainably Use the Ocean.' The summit aims to strengthen protection and sustainable use of oceans, seas and marine resources, particularly by advancing implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14): Life Below Water. The conference is also focused on three core objectives: conserving marine biodiversity, eliminating harmful fisheries subsidies, and advancing the global '30 by 30' target. (The 30 by 30 target, a key element of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted in 2022, seeks to protect at least 30% of the world's land and 30% of its oceans by 2030. This target, officially referred to as Target 3 within the Framework, is part of a larger effort to address biodiversity loss and achieve a world living in harmony with nature by 2050.) Yet today, only 2.7% of the world's oceans are effectively protected from extractive activities, according to the Marine Conservation Institute - far short of the 30 by 30 goal. With mounting pressure on marine and coastal ecosystems - now increasingly visible both for marine life and for the communities that depend on them - UNOC3 is seen as a critical milestone in reviving international cooperation and boosting collective action for the ocean. One key priority is to secure at least 60 national ratifications needed to bring into force the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, also known as the BBNJ Agreement or High Seas Treaty. Adopted on June 19, 2023, the High Seas Treaty aims to protect the high seas - waters beyond countries' exclusive economic zones (EEZs), which extend up to 370 nautical miles from shore - and safeguard marine ecosystems in these international waters. The treaty also contains provisions for countries to share marine genetic resources collected through scientific research in international waters. As of June 10, 2025, 49 countries have ratified the BBNJ Agreement - with Singapore the only Asean country among them - according to the High Seas Alliance Treaty Ratification Progress. The deadline to reach the 60-country threshold is Sept 20. Malaysia signed UNCLOS on Dec 10, 1982, and ratified it on Oct 14, 1996 - but has yet to sign or ratify the High Seas Treaty. Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia's Faculty of Syariah and Law, International Law Unit Coordinator Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Hazmi Mohd Rusli, said the treaty represents a valuable opportunity for Malaysia to continue playing a leadership role in global environmental diplomacy, as one of the world's 17 megadiverse countries. Malaysia has historically played an active leadership role in biodiversity-related multilateral agreements, he said, citing the country's push for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1994 and the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources. The treaty could help protect oceans from environmental degradation caused by deep seabed mining (DSM) for metals such as silver, gold, copper, manganese, cobalt, and zinc, he added. "DSM activities in the high seas can affect fish stocks, ocean health - and their impacts can even reach our own waters. "With the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) mandated under the treaty, there will be stronger protections for marine ecosystems, which are essential for both our food security and long-term ocean health," he told Bernama in an email interview. He noted that the treaty also promotes fair benefit-sharing from marine genetic resources found in international waters. "As a developing country, Malaysia stands to benefit from capacity building, technology transfer, and having a voice in how these resources are used and shared," he said. However, Mohd Hazmi cautioned that delaying treaty ratification could damage Malaysia's international reputation and weaken its position on sustainable ocean governance. "Especially when countries like Singapore are moving forward (already ratified the high seas treaty). "We should not follow the United States (US) example of failing to ratify UNCLOS - a treaty now widely regarded as customary international law. "The High Seas Treaty, while not yet universally followed, complements UNCLOS by focusing on marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction," he added. WWF-Malaysia Policy Lead, Shantini Guna Rajan, said that as pressures on ocean ecosystems continue to grow, Malaysia's support for the treaty would signal its commitment to addressing key gaps in global ocean governance. As a maritime nation, Malaysia's commitment to the High Seas Treaty would also create opportunities for international collaboration and capacity-building in ocean governance and sustainability, she said. "It would solidify Malaysia's leadership in marine conservation and sustainable development, while demonstrating its commitment to collaborative, multilateral solutions to the global crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and ocean pollution," she said. She also highlighted the treaty's Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) provisions, which aim to ensure that all parties - particularly developing nations - receive fair and equitable benefits from marine genetic resources (MGRs) found in the high seas. "These resources have potential applications in medicine, biotechnology, and agriculture - but until now have largely been accessed freely by a small number of technologically advanced states. "The ABS mechanism mandates the sharing of both monetary benefits (such as royalties and licensing fees) and non-monetary benefits (including scientific knowledge, capacity building, and technology transfer). "This fosters greater global equity, supports innovation through collaborative research, and ensures that the economic gains from the high seas are shared in a manner that contributes to sustainable development and global scientific progress," she said. Dr Khaira Ismail, Deputy Director of the Blue Economy Advancement Centre (UMTBEACON) at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, said that while Malaysia's jurisdiction does not extend to the high seas, the environmental impact assessment (EIA) framework under the BBNJ treaty can help safeguard marine ecosystems - including those within Malaysia's own waters - by protecting ocean health at a transboundary level. "Due to the interconnected nature of ocean ecosystems, activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) can still affect regional biodiversity and migratory species that traverse into Malaysian waters. "Supporting a standardised, transparent framework for EIAs on the high seas allows Malaysia to advocate the precautionary principle and contribute scientific expertise - particularly through our research institutions - to help protect ocean health in a transboundary context,' she said. She noted that the ocean covers nearly 70 per cent of the Earth's surface and is home to extraordinary biodiversity and natural resources that are vital for the planet's climate and economy. "Yet, beyond national borders, efforts to protect the ocean have historically been fragmented and insufficient." Malaysia, she added, does not lack the expertise, capability, or legal legitimacy to be influential in ABNJ governance. "Our scientists, legal experts, and diplomats are well-positioned to make meaningful contributions. What we lack is not capacity - but a sense of urgency, political prioritisation, and a coherent policy framework. "Engaging with the BBNJ treaty is not about short-term gains, but about securing long-term influence and ensuring our national interests are reflected in how shared ocean spaces are governed. Sitting on the sidelines is not a strategy,' she said. She said the BBNJ treaty provides a platform for developing countries like Malaysia to help shape fair and inclusive governance rules for MGRs. "Malaysia's participation can ensure that benefit-sharing mechanisms under the treaty consider the needs of capacity-limited countries, while also promoting scientific collaboration, access to data, and fair technology transfer. "This positions Malaysia not just as a user of such resources, but also as an advocate for equitable governance,' she said. UMT's Faculty of Maritime Studies senior lecturer, Dr Izyan Munirah Mohd Zaideen emphasised that if Malaysia were to commit to the High Seas Treaty, it should first adopt a National Ocean Policy (NOP) to centralise maritime and marine governance. "Malaysia is a maritime nation strategically located along key international shipping routes linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and is surrounded by vital marine resources that support coastal communities and national food security. "Malaysia should intensify efforts to utilise these advantages sustainably and strengthen its standing as a leading maritime nation. "However, it must be noted that the government currently lacks an inclusive strategy or specialised framework to oversee ocean activities effectively,' she told Bernama recently. She said the existing sectoral approach to ocean governance has resulted in jurisdictional overlaps and fragmented legal provisions, with multiple agencies overseeing different aspects of ocean activity. "Better coordination of ocean and coastal resource management is critical for balancing development and economic activity with environmental protection. "Establishing a NOP should be the foundation for comprehensive ocean governance - and should come before committing to any new international agreement, including the High Seas Treaty,' she stressed. - Bernama
The Sun
11-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Malaysia and the UN High Seas Treaty: What's next?
KUALA LUMPUR: The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), now underway in Nice, France, has brought together around 200 world leaders to tackle urgent challenges facing the world's oceans. Running from June 9 to 13, the summit aims to accelerate global action to protect marine ecosystems and promote the sustainable use of ocean resources — a timely moment as Malaysia weighs whether to ratify the new UN High Seas Treaty. Following previous conferences in New York (2017) and Lisbon (2022), this year's summit — the world's largest ocean-focused gathering — is held under the theme 'Accelerating Action and Mobilising All Actors to Conserve and Sustainably Use the Ocean.' The summit aims to strengthen protection and sustainable use of oceans, seas and marine resources, particularly by advancing implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14): Life Below Water. The conference is also focused on three core objectives: conserving marine biodiversity, eliminating harmful fisheries subsidies, and advancing the global '30 by 30' target. (The 30 by 30 target, a key element of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted in 2022, seeks to protect at least 30 per cent of the world's land and 30 per cent of its oceans by 2030. This target, officially referred to as Target 3 within the Framework, is part of a larger effort to address biodiversity loss and achieve a world living in harmony with nature by 2050.) Yet today, only 2.7 per cent of the world's oceans are effectively protected from extractive activities, according to the Marine Conservation Institute — far short of the 30 by 30 goal. With mounting pressure on marine and coastal ecosystems — now increasingly visible both for marine life and for the communities that depend on them — UNOC3 is seen as a critical milestone in reviving international cooperation and boosting collective action for the ocean. One key priority is to secure at least 60 national ratifications needed to bring into force the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, also known as the BBNJ Agreement or High Seas Treaty. Adopted on June 19, 2023, the High Seas Treaty aims to protect the high seas — waters beyond countries' exclusive economic zones (EEZs), which extend up to 370 nautical miles from shore — and safeguard marine ecosystems in these international waters. The treaty also contains provisions for countries to share marine genetic resources collected through scientific research in international waters. As of June 10, 2025, 49 countries have ratified the BBNJ Agreement — with Singapore the only ASEAN country among them — according to the High Seas Alliance Treaty Ratification Progress. The deadline to reach the 60-country threshold is Sept 20. MALAYSIA'S COMMITMENT TO THE HIGH SEAS TREATY Malaysia signed UNCLOS on Dec 10, 1982, and ratified it on Oct 14, 1996 — but has yet to sign or ratify the High Seas Treaty. Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia's Faculty of Syariah and Law, International Law Unit Coordinator Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Hazmi Mohd Rusli, said the treaty represents a valuable opportunity for Malaysia to continue playing a leadership role in global environmental diplomacy, as one of the world's 17 megadiverse countries. Malaysia has historically played an active leadership role in biodiversity-related multilateral agreements, he said, citing the country's push for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1994 and the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources. The treaty could help protect oceans from environmental degradation caused by deep seabed mining (DSM) for metals such as silver, gold, copper, manganese, cobalt, and zinc, he added. 'DSM activities in the high seas can affect fish stocks, ocean health — and their impacts can even reach our own waters. 'With the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) mandated under the treaty, there will be stronger protections for marine ecosystems, which are essential for both our food security and long-term ocean health,' he told Bernama in an email interview. He noted that the treaty also promotes fair benefit-sharing from marine genetic resources found in international waters. 'As a developing country, Malaysia stands to benefit from capacity building, technology transfer, and having a voice in how these resources are used and shared,' he said. However, Mohd Hazmi cautioned that delaying treaty ratification could damage Malaysia's international reputation and weaken its position on sustainable ocean governance. 'Especially when countries like Singapore are moving forward (already ratified the high seas treaty). 'We should not follow the United States (US) example of failing to ratify UNCLOS — a treaty now widely regarded as customary international law. 'The High Seas Treaty, while not yet universally followed, complements UNCLOS by focusing on marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction,' he added. ASEAN BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION WWF-Malaysia Policy Lead, Shantini Guna Rajan, said that as pressures on ocean ecosystems continue to grow, Malaysia's support for the treaty would signal its commitment to addressing key gaps in global ocean governance. As a maritime nation, Malaysia's commitment to the High Seas Treaty would also create opportunities for international collaboration and capacity-building in ocean governance and sustainability, she said. 'It would solidify Malaysia's leadership in marine conservation and sustainable development, while demonstrating its commitment to collaborative, multilateral solutions to the global crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and ocean pollution,' she said. She also highlighted the treaty's Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) provisions, which aim to ensure that all parties — particularly developing nations — receive fair and equitable benefits from marine genetic resources (MGRs) found in the high seas. 'These resources have potential applications in medicine, biotechnology, and agriculture — but until now have largely been accessed freely by a small number of technologically advanced states. 'The ABS mechanism mandates the sharing of both monetary benefits (such as royalties and licensing fees) and non-monetary benefits (including scientific knowledge, capacity building, and technology transfer). 'This fosters greater global equity, supports innovation through collaborative research, and ensures that the economic gains from the high seas are shared in a manner that contributes to sustainable development and global scientific progress,' she said. PROTECTING OCEAN HEALTH IN A TRANSBOUNDARY CONTEXT Dr Khaira Ismail, Deputy Director of the Blue Economy Advancement Centre (UMTBEACON) at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, said that while Malaysia's jurisdiction does not extend to the high seas, the environmental impact assessment (EIA) framework under the BBNJ treaty can help safeguard marine ecosystems — including those within Malaysia's own waters — by protecting ocean health at a transboundary level. 'Due to the interconnected nature of ocean ecosystems, activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) can still affect regional biodiversity and migratory species that traverse into Malaysian waters. 'Supporting a standardised, transparent framework for EIAs on the high seas allows Malaysia to advocate the precautionary principle and contribute scientific expertise — particularly through our research institutions — to help protect ocean health in a transboundary context,' she said. She noted that the ocean covers nearly 70 per cent of the Earth's surface and is home to extraordinary biodiversity and natural resources that are vital for the planet's climate and economy. 'Yet, beyond national borders, efforts to protect the ocean have historically been fragmented and insufficient.' Malaysia, she added, does not lack the expertise, capability, or legal legitimacy to be influential in ABNJ governance. 'Our scientists, legal experts, and diplomats are well-positioned to make meaningful contributions. What we lack is not capacity — but a sense of urgency, political prioritisation, and a coherent policy framework. 'Engaging with the BBNJ treaty is not about short-term gains, but about securing long-term influence and ensuring our national interests are reflected in how shared ocean spaces are governed. Sitting on the sidelines is not a strategy,' she said. She said the BBNJ treaty provides a platform for developing countries like Malaysia to help shape fair and inclusive governance rules for MGRs. 'Malaysia's participation can ensure that benefit-sharing mechanisms under the treaty consider the needs of capacity-limited countries, while also promoting scientific collaboration, access to data, and fair technology transfer. 'This positions Malaysia not just as a user of such resources, but also as an advocate for equitable governance,' she said. THE NEED FOR A NATIONAL OCEAN POLICY UMT's Faculty of Maritime Studies senior lecturer, Dr Izyan Munirah Mohd Zaideen emphasised that if Malaysia were to commit to the High Seas Treaty, it should first adopt a National Ocean Policy (NOP) to centralise maritime and marine governance. 'Malaysia is a maritime nation strategically located along key international shipping routes linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and is surrounded by vital marine resources that support coastal communities and national food security. 'Malaysia should intensify efforts to utilise these advantages sustainably and strengthen its standing as a leading maritime nation. 'However, it must be noted that the government currently lacks an inclusive strategy or specialised framework to oversee ocean activities effectively,' she told Bernama recently. She said the existing sectoral approach to ocean governance has resulted in jurisdictional overlaps and fragmented legal provisions, with multiple agencies overseeing different aspects of ocean activity. 'Better coordination of ocean and coastal resource management is critical for balancing development and economic activity with environmental protection. 'Establishing a NOP should be the foundation for comprehensive ocean governance — and should come before committing to any new international agreement, including the High Seas Treaty,' she stressed.
Powys County Times
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
UK to legislate for UN High Seas Treaty by end of year
The UK will introduce legislation by the end of the year to ratify the UN High Seas Treaty, the Government has announced. Marine Minister Emma Hardy said on Tuesday that the Government will introduce a bill to enable ratification of the pact to establish protected areas in international waters. The ocean treaty, which was agreed by 193 countries two years ago, will not come into force until ratification by 60 countries, but just over half of that number have done so. The UK Government is among those that have been previously criticised by environmentalists for not yet ratifying the treaty or announcing a timetable to introduce the legislation required. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the treaty will provide the 'first legal mechanism for the creation of protected areas in international waters', helping to conserve marine life in parts of the ocean outside national jurisdiction – which is approximately two-thirds of the world's ocean. Ms Hardy said: 'Our oceans are dying. Without urgent action, they will be irreversibly destroyed. 'That is why the UK will introduce legislation by the end of the year to ratify the High Seas Treaty, a landmark in protecting marine life around the globe.' The announcement comes as the third UN Ocean Conference began in France on Monday. Governments, business leaders, scientists and campaigners are attending the environmental summit in Nice where the spotlight will be on the commitments individual governments make to reduce the impact on their territorial waters, such as banning the practice of bottom trawling in marine protected areas (MPAs). Bottom trawling and other forms of destructive fishing are permitted in UK waters but conservationists have long been campaigning for a full ban across all marine protected areas. Defra said the Government has proposed to ban bottom trawling in more MPAs in English waters. The department said MPAs will 'help conserve rare, valuable and important marine life of the high seas, enhancing their resilience to stressors such as unsustainable fishing and industrial activities, helping them to recover faster'. There are 181 MPAs, including three highly protected marine areas (HPMAs), covering 93,000 square kilometres or 40% of English waters.
