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OPINION (COM(2023)0580 – C9xxxx/20xx – 2023/0353(NLE))

On the proposal for a Council decision conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ)

PECH-AD-758196

Committee on Fisheries · Rapporteur: Predrag Fred Matić

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The Committee on Fisheries gives its opinion on the proposal for a Council decision to conclude, for the EU, the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on marine biological diversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ). It calls on the committee responsible to recommend approval. The BBNJ Agreement covers conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in nearly two-thirds of the world's oceans, and addresses marine genetic resources, benefit-sharing, area-based management tools, environmental impact assessments and capacity-building. The rapporteur supports the Agreement and its swift adoption, and welcomes swift transposition of its general obligations without undermining existing instruments or the work of global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies.

Committee position. The Committee on Fisheries calls on the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, as committee responsible, to recommend approval of the proposal for a Council decision concluding the BBNJ Agreement. The rapporteur supports the Agreement and its swift adoption.

Key points

  1. The EU negotiated the BBNJ Agreement from 2016 to 2023 under Council authorisation; the Agreement was adopted on 19 June 2023 and signed by the EU on 20 September 2023.
  2. The Agreement covers conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in nearly two-thirds of the world's oceans and addresses marine genetic resources, benefit-sharing, area-based management tools, environmental impact assessments and capacity-building.
  3. As the third implementing agreement under UNCLOS for the EU, it modernises UNCLOS for developments since 1982 and supports the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Goal 14.
  4. It contributes to the Global Biodiversity Framework target of conserving 30% of the world's lands and oceans by 2030 and aids implementation of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.
  5. The Agreement conserves the global common good of areas beyond national jurisdiction through binding and voluntary measures, better cooperation and coordination among stakeholders, and action against biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation and climate change impacts.
  6. It addresses warming, ocean deoxygenation, acidification, pollution including plastic pollution, and unsustainable use in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
  7. It emphasises advancing global scientific research, compatibility with existing stakeholder responsibilities, addressing inequalities particularly for developing countries, and increasing collaboration among regional seas organisations and regional fisheries management organisations.
  8. The rapporteur commends the measures agreed at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Conference and calls the instrument a crucial step for marine ecosystems.
  9. The rapporteur welcomes swift transposition of the Agreement's general obligations, ensuring coherence and coordination without undermining existing instruments, frameworks or the work of global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies.
  10. The rapporteur supports the Agreement and endorses its swift adoption, stressing cooperative efforts to safeguard marine ecosystems beyond national jurisdiction.
  11. The Committee on Fisheries calls on the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, as committee responsible, to recommend approval of the proposal for a Council decision concluding the Agreement.

Who is affected

  • The fisheries sector: a healthy marine environment with healthy fish stocks and rich biodiversity is described as crucial to a prosperous future for fisheries communities.
  • Developing countries: the Agreement addresses inequalities, particularly for them.
  • Regional seas organisations and regional fisheries management organisations: the Agreement seeks increased collaboration among them.
  • Global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies: their existing instruments, frameworks and work are not to be undermined.

Figures and deadlines

  • 2004: year the process was initiated.
  • 2016 to 2023: period of EU negotiations.
  • 19 June 2023: date the BBNJ Agreement was adopted.
  • 20 September 2023: date the EU signed the Agreement.
  • Nearly two-thirds of the world's oceans: share covered by the Agreement.
  • 1982: reference year for developments in marine biodiversity since UNCLOS.
  • 30% of the world's lands and oceans by 2030: Global Biodiversity Framework conservation target.