Manila: Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Raphael Lotilla expressed enthusiasm over the Senate’s unanimous ratification of the landmark Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement). He emphasized the long-term benefits the treaty would bring to coastal communities, fishers, and scientists who rely on the seas for sustenance and livelihood.
According to Philippines News Agency, Secretary Lotilla highlighted the treaty’s alignment with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), reaffirming the country’s dedication to global efforts aimed at protecting marine biodiversity in international waters. He noted that the Senate’s unanimous concurrence demonstrates a commitment to preserving the nation’s marine resources and the shared heritage of humanity for the benefit of all who depend on the ocean’s resources.
The BBNJ Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty, was ratified by the Senate on Wednesday, marking a significant step as the first legally binding framework to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. It stands as the third implementing agreement under the 1982 UNCLOS, following nearly two decades of negotiations before its adoption by the international community in 2023.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) explained that the agreement covers areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), including the high seas and the Area, encompassing parts of the water column, seabed, ocean floor, and subsoil not under any state’s sovereignty or jurisdiction. The high seas remain open to all states for activities such as fishing and scientific research, with due regard for the interests and rights of other states.
Resources within these areas, such as minerals, are considered the common heritage of humankind and cannot be appropriated by any state. Instead, states must exercise their rights and interests while ensuring the protection and preservation of the marine environment.
Lotilla further explained that as an archipelagic nation rich in marine biodiversity, the Philippines relies heavily on the integrity of its marine ecosystems for food security and climate resilience. With more than half of the country’s fisheries production stemming from highly migratory species like tuna, which traverse ABNJ, protecting these ecosystems is crucial for supporting Filipino fishers and ensuring the sustainability of local fisheries.
The treaty also paves the way for designating marine protected areas and conducting environmental impact assessments for activities in ABNJ, which will aid in preserving adjacent Philippine seas. The Philippines, along with 67 other states, signed the treaty in 2023 during the UN General Assembly in New York, formalizing the country’s participation in the global endeavor to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
