Biodiversity conservation in the Philippines received a boost after the Senate unanimously approved the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The agreement highlights the long-term benefits for coastal communities, scientists and fisherfolk who depend on the seas for food and livelihood.
As an archipelagic state, a maritime nation and one of the richest in marine biodiversity, the Philippines depends fundamentally on the integrity of its marine ecosystems, particularly for food security and climate resilience.
More popularly known as the High Seas Treaty, the BBNJ Agreement covers the areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ)—the high seas and all parts of the water column, the seabed, ocean floor and subsoil that are not under the sovereignty, sovereign rights, or jurisdiction of any state.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Raphael Lotilla said the treaty reaffirms the country’s commitment in the global efforts to safeguard marine biodiversity in international waters.
“With its unanimous concurrence, the Senate signified its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s marine wealth and humankind’s common heritage for the benefit of coastal communities, fisherfolk, scientists and all who rely on the bounty of the ocean,” Lotilla said
“This signals a strong adherence to equity and inclusivity, which can be achieved only through multilateralism, international cooperation and a rules-based international order,” he added.
The high seas are open to all countries, which may exercise freedoms, such as fishing and scientific research, with due regard for the interests and rights of other states.
The resources, such as minerals within such seabed, ocean floor and subsoil are the common heritage of humankind, and may not be appropriated by any state.
States are bound to exercise rights and interests over these areas while fulfilling the obligation to protect and preserve the marine environment.
Significantly, more than half of national fisheries production is derived from migratory and highly mobile species whose life cycles extend into ABNJ.
Benefits from the utilization of marine genetic resources will be equitably shared with developing states. These benefits could include new medicines, improvements in aquaculture and biodiversity conservation.
Covering nearly half of the Earth’s surface, the sheer scale of ABNJ likely makes them the most valuable provider of ecosystem services overall. PNA
Former DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga joined world leaders at the High-Level Meeting on the BBNJ Agreement.
She stressed the urgent need for nations to unite under the treaty to safeguard marine biodiversity. Marita Moaje, PNA
