, 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.
