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DRAFT OPINION (COM(2023)580 – 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-PA-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 concluding the BBNJ Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The rapporteur supports the Agreement and endorses its swift adoption, saying it addresses marine biodiversity in nearly two-thirds of the world's oceans. The Agreement covers marine genetic resources, benefit-sharing, area-based management tools, environmental impact assessments and capacity-building, and aims to align UNCLOS with current issues. The rapporteur welcomes swift transposition of the Agreement's general obligations without undermining existing instruments, frameworks or the work of global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies. The committee calls on the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety to recommend approval of the proposal.

Committee position. The rapporteur supports the BBNJ Agreement and endorses its swift adoption, welcoming swift transposition of its general obligations. The Committee on Fisheries calls on the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety to recommend approval of the proposal for a Council decision.

Key points

  1. The EU negotiated the BBNJ Agreement from 2016 to 2023 and signed it 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.
  3. It addresses marine genetic resources, benefit-sharing, area-based management tools, environmental impact assessments and capacity-building.
  4. It supports the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Goal 14, and the Global Biodiversity Framework target of conserving 30% of the world's lands and oceans by 2030.
  5. It aids implementation of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.
  6. It aims to combat biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation and climate change impacts such as warming, deoxygenation, acidification, pollution including plastic pollution, and unsustainable use.
  7. It emphasises global scientific research, compatibility with existing stakeholder responsibilities, and addressing inequalities, particularly for developing countries.
  8. It seeks more collaboration among regional seas organisations and regional fisheries management organisations.
  9. The rapporteur commends the measures agreed at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Conference.
  10. The rapporteur welcomes swift transposition of the Agreement's general obligations, promoting coherence and coordination without undermining existing instruments, frameworks or bodies.
  11. The rapporteur endorses swift adoption of the Agreement.
  12. The Committee on Fisheries calls on the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety to recommend approval of the proposal for a Council decision.

Who is affected

  • The fisheries sector, which the Agreement aims to keep profitable through a healthier marine environment.
  • Developing countries, whose inequalities the Agreement addresses.
  • Regional seas organisations and regional fisheries management organisations, which the Agreement seeks to bring into closer collaboration.
  • The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, asked to recommend approval of the proposal.

Figures and deadlines

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