India is set to sign and ratify the High Seas Treaty, a landmark agreement aimed at protecting the world’s oceans beyond national jurisdictions. This treaty focuses on conserving marine biodiversity, preventing overfishing, and ensuring sustainable use of marine resources. By committing to this treaty, India joins other nations in a global effort to safeguard the high seas, which cover nearly half of the Earth’s surface. This move signifies India’s dedication to environmental conservation and sustainable development, ensuring that the vast and vital ocean ecosystems are preserved for future generations.
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Tag: GS-3, Ecology & Environment- Biodiversity- High Seas Treaty
Why in the news?
- India has decided to sign and ratify the High Seas Treaty, a global agreement for conservation and protection of biodiversity in the oceans.
- The High Seas Treaty, also known as the agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions (BBNJ), was negotiated in March 2023.
About the High seas:
- The high seas are the parts of the ocean that are not included in the exclusive economic zones, territorial sea or internal waters of a State.
- Water beyond 200 nautical miles from the coast of a country is known as high sea.
- High seas are the areas of the ocean for which no one nation has sole responsibility for management.
Need for UN high seas treaty:
- Ocean and biodiversity
- The high seas comprise 64 percent of the ocean surface, and about 43 per cent of the Earth.
- These areas are home to about 2.2 million marine species and up to a trillion different kinds of microorganisms.
- Ocean and global climate
- Oceans are an integral part of the global climate cycle, and perform a range of ecological services including absorption of carbon dioxide and excess heat.
- Hence, this treaty is being considered as a landmark in the efforts to keep the planet habitable.
- Unregulated human activities
- Climate change is already influencing, and is being influenced by, ocean systems, and is exacerbating the pressures on marine biodiversity from unregulated human activities.
- It is these specific challenges — a combination of climate change, biodiversity, and pollution — that the High Seas Treaty seeks to address.
- UNCLOS and concerns regarding the biodiversity
- Though UNCLOS asks countries to protect the ocean ecology and conserve its resources, it does not provide the specific mechanisms or processes to do so.
- Hence, it is believed that the High Seas Treaty will work as an implementation agreement under the UNCLOS.
- This is similar to the Paris Agreement working under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
About the UN High Seas Treaty:
- The UN High Seas Treaty, officially known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions (BBNJ) agreement, is a significant international effort agreed under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
- Adopted in 1982 and coming into force in 1994, UNCLOS provides the framework for managing and using the world’s oceans and their resources.
- However, it has limitations in protecting the vast expanses of ocean beyond national jurisdiction, which constitute about two-thirds of the Earth’s oceanic surface.
Key Provisions of the Treaty:
- Marine Protected Areas (MPAs):
- These are designated zones aimed at conserving ocean systems and biodiversity under stress from human activities or climate change. Similar to terrestrial national parks, MPAs in the high seas will be highly regulated to promote conservation efforts. Currently, only about 1.44% of the high seas are protected.
- Sustainable Use of Marine Genetic Resources:
- The treaty addresses the extraction and utilisation of genetic information from marine organisms. It aims to ensure that benefits arising from such resources are equitably shared without restrictive intellectual property controls, promoting open access to generated knowledge.
- Environmental Impact Assessments:
- Under the treaty, major activities in the high seas that could significantly impact marine ecosystems must undergo environmental impact assessments. Results of these assessments are to be shared internationally, fostering transparency and informed decision-making.
- Capacity Building and Technology Transfer:
- The treaty emphasises support for small island states and landlocked nations, enhancing their ability to participate effectively in conservation efforts through capacity building and technology transfer.
- Creation of a New Management Body:
- A new international body will be established to oversee the conservation of ocean life and the establishment of MPAs in the high seas, ensuring coordinated global efforts.
Status of the Treaty: The treaty will become international law 120 days after at least 60 countries formally ratify it. Currently, 91 countries have signed the treaty, but only eight have completed the ratification process. |
India to sign, ratify High Seas Treaty:
- India has decided to sign and ratify the High Seas Treaty.
- The High Seas Treaty, once it is ratified by the requisite number of countries and becomes international law, would operate under the UNCLOS framework, and become one of its implementing instruments.
- The UN Convention on the Law of the Seas, or UNCLOS, defines the rights and duties of the country, and lays down the general principles of acceptable conduct in the oceans.
- There are already two similar agreements under UNCLOS:
- one that regulates the extraction of mineral resources from ocean beds, and
- the other about conservation of migratory fish stocks.
Source: IE
FAQs
Q: What is the High Seas Treaty?
- Answer: The High Seas Treaty is an international agreement aimed at protecting the oceans beyond national borders. It focuses on conserving marine biodiversity, regulating activities like fishing and mining, and ensuring sustainable use of ocean resources.
Q: Why is India signing and ratifying the High Seas Treaty?
- Answer: India is signing and ratifying the High Seas Treaty to contribute to global efforts to protect the oceans. By joining this treaty, India aims to help preserve marine life, promote sustainable practices, and cooperate with other nations to address environmental challenges in the high seas.
Q: How will the High Seas Treaty benefit India?
- Answer: The treaty will benefit India by promoting the sustainable use of ocean resources, which can support its fishing industry and protect marine ecosystems. It also strengthens India’s role in international marine conservation efforts and helps combat illegal activities like unregulated fishing.
Q: What commitments will India make under the High Seas Treaty?
- Answer: Under the treaty, India will commit to protecting marine biodiversity, regulating human activities in international waters, conducting environmental impact assessments, and participating in international cooperation to manage the high seas sustainably.
Q: When will India sign and ratify the High Seas Treaty?
- Answer: While the exact date is not specified, India is expected to sign and ratify the treaty soon, joining other nations in this global initiative. The signing is a formal step, and ratification involves domestic approval processes to make the treaty legally binding in India.
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