UK introduces High Seas Treaty bill to protect two-thirds of ocean, strengthen biodiversity, and meet 30% protection target by 2030
The UK government has introduced legislation to ratify the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty, in a move it claims will help protect two-thirds of the world’s ocean.
The bill, presented to Parliament on 10 September, is framed as part of the government’s “Plan for Change” and is intended to safeguard marine ecosystems while bolstering food security. The BBNJ Agreement, adopted in 2023 after more than a decade of negotiations, is the first international treaty to establish a legal mechanism for creating protected areas in waters beyond national borders.
Treaty Commitments And UK Role
The UK was one of the first countries to sign the treaty in 2023, having been involved in shaping its terms. Ministers argue that implementing the treaty will help deliver the global target of protecting 30 percent of the ocean by 2030, in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The UK Fishing News brought to you by
The United Kingdom Fishing News brought to you by
For the first time, the treaty sets out how benefits from marine genetic resources, such as those used in medicines and biotechnology, will be shared internationally.
Ministerial Statements
Marine Minister Emma Hardy said: “Our ocean and all the precious life in it face irreversible destruction from overfishing and runaway pollution. This historic treaty will safeguard some of the ocean’s most vulnerable habitats and marine life, and help protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 as part of our Plan for Change.”
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Minister Malhotra, added: “Our oceans are under pressure, it’s undeniable. Unsustainable fishing, global warming, pollution—all threaten to deplete the marine biodiversity we all value and rely upon. By introducing the BBNJ Bill in Parliament, we are delivering security for the UK, in line with our Plan for Change—and fulfilling our pledge to introduce legislation by the end of the year.”
Next Steps
If passed, the bill will provide the legal framework for the UK to meet its obligations under the BBNJ Agreement. Further secondary legislation will then be required before full ratification can take place.
The government claims the measures will benefit species such as sharks, whales and turtles by creating new protections for vulnerable habitats, while also establishing the UK as a prominent backer of international ocean governance.