91TV convened a roundtable on 31 May 2023 to explore scientific considerations for establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the High Seas, under the UN's Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement. This agreement, once ratified, will provide a legal framework for creating area-based management tools (ABMTs), including MPAs, in international waters.
Key findings from the workshop include:
- Building on existing knowledge: the development of site selection processes under the new BBNJ Agreement should build on expertise from other existing Conventions
- Building a strategic scientific agenda: implementation of the BBNJ Agreement will require a strategic approach to coordinating international scientific research and providing necessary data
- Anticipating and managing large volumes of marine data: research and policy communities should anticipate and prepare for the large volumes of marine data that will be associated with the rapid expansion of marine observation technologies
- Accounting for uncertainties: uncertainties within the evidence base should be clearly articulated, with a precautionary approach at the core of decision-making. Site identification should be adaptive and iterative
This work underscores the importance of integrating scientific expertise into the design and implementation of MPAs in the High Seas, ensuring effective conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity.
Acknowledgements to Sir Ian Boyd FRS, Tammy Davies, Laura Grady, Susie Grant, Kerry Howell, David Johnson, Dame Linda Partridge FRS, and Julie Robidart.
