Conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction
TA-10-2025-0263 · P10_TA(2025)0263 · PE775.452
- Adopted in plenary on · Adopted 454–172–19 · See the decision →
- Full procedure 2025/0090
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Parliament's amended version of the proposed directive on conserving and sustainably using marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction sets rules on marine genetic resources, environmental assessments, area-based management tools and emergency measures.¶ It requires assessments for planned activities that may cause substantial pollution or significant harmful changes, with public participation and access to justice, and establishes procedures for submitting proposals to the BBNJ Secretariat.¶¶¶
Key points
- Member States should apply principles of Article 7 of the BBNJ Agreement when implementing the directive.¶
- The directive should support the EU biodiversity strategy and the Kunming-Montreal target of protecting at least 30% of oceans by 2030.¶¶
- Implementation should not undermine other legal instruments and bodies, and the Union should coordinate with bodies like RFMOs and Regional Seas Conventions.¶¶
- The Commission should support Member States hosting the BBNJ secretariat and encourage third countries to ratify the BBNJ Agreement.¶
- The directive should work with Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 on non-sustainable fishing by third countries.¶
- Benefits from marine genetic resources should be shared fairly, including through financial contributions, technology transfer or capacity-building.¶
- Member States must not undermine adopted BBNJ measures and must coordinate with the Commission before submitting proposals for area-based management tools or emergency measures.¶
- The Commission will assess draft proposals and may submit them on behalf of the Union; Member States may submit emergency measures directly in urgent cases.¶¶¶
- Activities in national jurisdiction that could harm the high seas must be assessed under EU law, and reports published via the BBNJ Clearing-House Mechanism.¶¶
- The directive does not apply to warships or military aircraft, but Member States should ensure they act consistently where reasonable.¶
- Plans and programmes likely to cause substantial pollution or significant harmful changes in high seas must be assessed under Directive 2001/42/EC.¶¶
- Member States must ensure public access to review procedures, with NGOs deemed to have sufficient interest, and procedures that are fair and not prohibitively expensive.¶¶¶
Who is affected
- Member States, which must implement the directive's rules on assessments, public participation and coordination with the Commission.¶¶¶
- Public concerned, including NGOs, gain rights to access information, participate and challenge decisions.¶¶
- Operators of planned activities in high seas or affecting high seas face assessment and authorisation requirements.¶¶
- Third countries are encouraged to ratify the BBNJ Agreement and adopt supporting measures.¶¶