High Seas Treaty

India to sign High Seas Treaty

 

UPSC Syllabus: Prelims: Current Affairs of National & International Importance Mains: GS-II, GS-III: Agreements affecting India’s interests, Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment, Biodiversity

Introduction:-

• India has recently announced its decision to sign the High Seas Treaty, a landmark global agreement aimed at conserving and protecting biodiversity in the oceans.
• Often compared to the 2015 Paris Agreement in terms of its scope and impact, the treaty is a significant step in international efforts to protect the marine environment.

What is the High Sea?

• The high seas refer to areas of the ocean that are not under the jurisdiction of any country.
• These areas begin where the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of coastal states end.
• The high seas extend 200 nautical miles (370 km) from the coastline.
• The high seas cover about half of the Earth’s surface and are beyond the control of any single nation, making international cooperation essential for their management and conservation.

Importance of the High Seas

• The high seas are home to a vast range of marine life, including many species found nowhere else.
• These regions provide critical habitats for marine species, support global biodiversity, and play a vital role in maintaining the health of the Earth’s oceans.
• The high seas are also vital to the functioning of marine ecosystems, which regulate climate and produce oxygen through processes such as photosynthesis carried out by phytoplankton.

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), also known as the Law of the Sea Treaty, is an international agreement that establishes the legal framework for marine and maritime activities. It was adopted in 1982 and entered into force in 1994. UNCLOS defines the rights and responsibilities of nations concerning the use of the world’s oceans It establishes guidelines for businesses, the environment, and the management of marine natural resources. Geneva Convention on the High Seas (1958) The Geneva Convention on the High Seas was one of four conventions adopted in 1958 to codify international maritime law. It outlines principles governing the high seas, including freedom of navigation, fishing, and scientific research, as well as an obligation to cooperate in the conservation and management of marine living resources. Paris Agreement The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. Its main goal is to limit global warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius, i.e. 1.5 degrees, compared to pre-industrial levels. The agreement includes commitments by countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change.

What is the High Seas Treaty?

• The High Seas Treaty, formally known as the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).
• It is an important international agreement aimed at protecting and conserving marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
• The treaty is important for the sustainable management of marine resources and the protection of ocean ecosystems.

Ratification process and current status

• The High Seas Treaty will become international law 120 days after at least 60 countries submit their formal ratification documents.
• So far, 91 countries have signed the treaty.
• o However, only eight of these countries have ratified the treaty and submitted their formal documents.

Key Provisions of the High Seas Treaty

• Marine Protected Areas (MPA): The treaty will establish marine protected areas in biodiversity-rich areas that are under stress, regulating activities such as deep-sea mining to protect these areas.
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): It mandates that any commercial activity that could cause significant pollution must have an environmental impact assessment.
• Benefit-sharing of marine resources: Benefits from marine genetic resources, such as drug development, should be considered a global commons, free of intellectual property rights, and shared equitably.
• Monitoring and Compliance: Establish mechanisms to monitor and ensure compliance with the treaty’s provisions.

Significance of the High Seas Treaty

• The treaty aims to create marine protected areas and regulate human activities to ensure the conservation of biodiversity in the high seas.
• By implementing guidelines and regulations, the treaty seeks to promote the sustainable use of marine resources, ensuring their availability for future generations.
• The High Seas Treaty emphasizes international cooperation, which allows countries to exercise their national rights.

Challenges of the High Seas Treaty

• There is a critical need for more countries to complete the ratification process to make the treaty international law.
• Once the treaty becomes law, effective implementation and enforcement mechanisms will be essential to achieve its goals.

Economic and Social Importance of the High Seas

• The high seas are economically important because of their resources, including fish stocks and potential mineral deposits.
• They support global fisheries that contribute to food security and livelihoods for millions of people.
• In addition, the high seas are vital for international shipping and trade, which are essential components of the global economy.

Threats to High Seas Biodiversity

• Unsustainable fishing practices deplete fish stocks and disrupt marine food webs.
• Marine pollution, including plastics, oil spills, and chemical runoff, harms marine life and habitats.
• Ocean acidification caused by rising temperatures and increasing levels of CO2 threatens marine species and ecosystems.
• Activities such as deep-sea mining and bottom fishing harm important habitats such as coral reefs and seamounts.
• Other laws and initiatives related to the marine environment

International laws and conventions

1. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

• When adopted: 1982
• Objective: To establish a legal framework for all marine and marine activities.

Key features:

• Defines marine areas.
• Establishes the rights and responsibilities of nations to the use of the world’s oceans, guidelines for businesses, the environment, and the management of marine natural resources.

2. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

• When adopted: 1992
• Objective: To conserve biological diversity, ensure the sustainable use of its components, and ensure the fair sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources.

Key features:

• Strategic plans and goals (e.g. Aichi targets), establishment of marine protected areas.
• The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted the Aichi Biodiversity Targets at the Nagoya Conference in 2010.

3. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

• When adopted: 1973
• Objective: It aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not endanger their survival.
• Key features: Regulation of trade in endangered species through a permit system.

4. Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

• When adopted: 1971
• Objective: Conservation of wetlands through local, regional, and national actions and international cooperation.
• Salient Features: Designation of wetlands of international importance.

National Initiatives

1. National Marine Fisheries Policy (India)

• When adopted: 2017
• Objective: To promote sustainable fishing practices and ensure the socio-economic well-being of fishermen communities.

Salient Features:

• Regulation of fishing methods.
• Conservation of marine ecosystem.
• Development of fisheries infrastructure.

 

2. Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification (India)

• When adopted: 2011
• Objective: To regulate activities in coastal areas to protect the environment and livelihoods of coastal communities.
• Salient Features: Classification of coastal areas into different zones with specific regulations.

Other Initiatives and Agreements

1. Global Environment Facility (GEF)

• Established: 1991
• Objective: To address global environmental issues and support sustainable development.
• Key Features: To fund projects addressing biodiversity, climate change, and international waters.

2. International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI)

• Established: 1994
• Objective: To conserve coral reefs and associated ecosystems.
• Key Features: Advocacy, networking, and capacity building for coral reef management.

3. Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO)

• Established: 1999
• Objective: To understand and conserve coastal marine ecosystems.
• Key Features: Research, monitoring, and policy support.

Measures to conserve marine biodiversity

1. Establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

• Example: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia
• Objective: To protect important marine ecosystems and species.
• Measures: Restricting human activities, promoting sustainable tourism, and enforcing conservation laws.

2. Sustainable fishing practices

• Example: Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification
• Objective: Ensuring that fishing practices do not harm the marine environment.
• Measure: Enforcing quotas, reducing bycatch, and protecting critical habitats.

3. Pollution control measures

• Example: MARPOL Convention (1973)
• Objective: Reducing pollution from ships.
• Measure: Regulation of the discharge of oil, chemicals, sewage, and garbage from ships.

5. Public awareness and education

• Example: Ocean Literacy Principles
• Objective: Increase understanding of the ocean’s impact on humans and vice versa.
• Measures: Educational programs, community engagement, and media campaigns.

6. Research and monitoring

• Example: Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)
• Objective: Monitoring the health of the oceans.
• Measures: Collect data on ocean temperature, salinity, currents, and ecosystem health.

Way Forward

• Encourage more countries to ratify the High Seas Treaty to ensure it becomes enforceable international law.
• Develop strong enforcement mechanisms for treaty provisions, focusing on compliance and monitoring.
• Increase coverage of marine protected areas to protect areas with greater biodiversity.
• Support scientific research on marine biodiversity and sustainable practices.
• Promote greater international cooperation to effectively address marine conservation challenges.
• Increase public awareness campaigns to educate about the importance of marine conservation.