Resources
High Seas Alliance Briefing – Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) under the new BBNJ Instrument
High Seas Alliance Statements– IGC #1 September 4 - 17, 2018
- High Seas Alliance Opening Statement – September 4th 2018
- High Seas Alliance, Intervention on CBTT, Agenda Item 7 – September 5th 2018
- Greenpeace on behalf of the High Seas Alliance, Intervention on ABMTs and MPAs - September 7th 2018
- NRDC on behalf of the High Seas Alliance, Intervention on EIAs – September 11th 2018
- High Seas Alliance, Intervention on Environmental Impact Assessments, Cluster 5.4, 5.5, 5.6 – September 11th 2018
- High Seas Alliance, Intervention on ABMTs and MPAs, 4.5, 4.6 – September 13th 2018
- Pew Charitable Trusts Intervention on behalf of the High Seas Alliance on ABMTs and MPAs, 4.3 & 4.4 – September 13th 2018
- High Seas Alliance, Intervention on the Discussion of the Path Forward and the Zero Draft – September 14th 2018
High Seas Alliance newsletter - IGC #1 Issue August 2018
High Seas Alliance recommendations for cross-cutting issues under the new international legally binding instrument
A legally binding instrument for conservation of marine biodiversity on the high seas
HSA Recommendations for Institutional Arrangements
HSA Recommendations on MPAs and Marine Reserves
HSA Recommendations on EIAs
The journey toward a Treaty for ABNJ
Protected Seas – map of high seas managed areas
High Seas Briefing – A landmark ocean biodiversity treaty to protect the high seas now and for the future
High Seas Alliance Timeline - UN Steps Towards an Implementing Agreement
Function of the High Seas and Anthropogenic Impacts Science Update 2012-2017
PrepCom4 Interventions
- HSA opening statement
- Greenpeace and HSA intervention on EIAs (morning)
- Greenpeace and HSA intervention on EIAs (afternoon)
- Greenpeace intervention on cross-cutting issues
- Greenpeace second intervention on cross-cutting issues
- IUCN intervention on EIAs
High Seas Alliance Statement to Ocean Conference Plenary – June 7, 2017
Governance of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction for Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use
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See the Legal Atlas - a new era in legal information and analysis
Towards a Global Solution for High Seas Conservation: Protecting marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction
PrepCom3 Interventions
- NRDC and HSA intervention on cross-cutting issues
- Mission Blue and HSA intervention on ABMTs
- Greenpeace intervention on ABMTs
- Greenpeace and HSA intervention on institutional arrangments
- Greenpeace and HSA intervention on cross-cutting issues: dispute resolution mechanisms
- Greenpeace and HSA intervention on cross-cutting issues
- Greenpeace and HSA intervention on capacity building and the transfer of marine technology
- IUCN intervention on capacity building and technology transfer
- NRDC and HSA intervention on EIA Governance
- IUCN intervention on EIA Governance
- NRDC, Greenpeace, Pew Charitable Trusts, Mission Blue and on behalf of the HSA
- IUCN intervention on EIAs and SEAs
- NRDC and HSA intervention on EIAs
- Greenpeace intervention on EIAs
- Greenpeace intervention intervention on ABMT process
- The Pew Charitable Trusts intervention on ABMTs
- IUCN intervention on ABMTs
- Greenpeace, NRDC, HSA intervention on ABM/Definitions
- Greenpeace and HSA intervention on MPAs
PrepCom3 HSA Side Event
On March 28th the High Seas Alliance, Greenpeace and the NRDC held a side event for government representatives entitled “Marine Reserves in the Era of Climate Change.” This well-attended event provided up to date scientific and other information about the important role played by area based management tools (ABMTs), in particular marine reserves, in mitigating the effects of climate change.
The side event was moderated by Lisa Speer, Director of International Oceans Program at NRDC and showcased expert panelists Estrella V Tulay, Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. Doug McCauley, University of California Santa Barbara, and Dr. Veronica Frank, policy advisor for Greenpeace International.
Download the presentations:
Estrella V Tulay – The importance of high seas MPAs in the regional context
Dr. Doug McCauley – The value of marine reserves in an era of climate change
Dr. Veronica Frank – Reserves as a cornerstone for an implementing agreement
PrepCom2 Interventions
- Greenpeace intervention on resolution mechanisms and final clauses
- Greenpeace and HSA intervention on principles
- Greenopeace and HSA intervention on EIAs
- Greenpeace and HSA intervention on ABMT
- Greenpeace intervention on EIA procedures
- Greenpeace intervention on EIAs
- HSA and NRDC on EIAs
- Final statement from IUCN on ABMT institutional arrangements
- HSA and NRDC statement on ABMTs
- IUCN Submission on ABMTs
- IUCN's statement on MGRs
- IUCN Statement on Applicable Principles in MGR
PrepCom2 Side Events
- IUCN, PHARMASEA, Univ. of Glasgow (Aug 26) – Access and benefit sharing models for Marine Genetic Resources: Fostering scientific research and development
- IUCN, PHARMASEA, Univ. of Glasgow (Aug 27) – Marine Genetic Resources in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction
- Pew (Aug 30) – Exploring the Benefits and Options for Establishing Marine Protected Areas, Includeing Reserves, in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction
- High Seas Alliance & NRDC (Aug 31) – Recent Developments in Ocean Mapping and Marine Spatial Planning Technologies: Tools for policy-makers
Download the presentation here - IUCN, SPF , OPRI (Sept 1) – Strengthening capacity building and technology transfer to empower developing states: case study on environmental impact assessments
- Greenpeace (Sept 2) – Allowing the ocean to recover: the threat of cumulative impacts and the need for marine reserves
- OceanCare & NRDC (Sept 7) - Critical Impacts to BBNJ: Incorporating the Management of Ocean Noise into the New LOSC Instrument
HSA and the NRDC PrepCom2 Side Event:
On August 31, the High Seas Alliance and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) held a PrepCom side event where leading scientists presented the latest developments in ocean mapping and marine spatial planning technologies, and how these tools can be used by policy makers.
Download the presentations:
- A New Wave of Space-sourced Information Services for Marine Spatial Planning by Graham Stickler
- A Collaborative Project between NASA and the Sargasso Sea Commission by Dr. Vardis Tsontos and Dr. Jorge Vazquez
- A Scientific Call For Representative Networks of Marine Protected Areas, Including Marine Reserves; Addressing Cumulative Impacts by Lance Morgan, PhD
IUCN Submission on Crosscutting Issues
Mapping Governance Gaps On The High Seas
Key Components and Best Practices for Environmental Impact Assessments - Submission to PrepCom2
Taking a Risk Management Approach to Strategic Environmental Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment for BBNJ
As the best practical way to give effect to the commitment in UNGA Resolution 69/292 to include ‘environmental impact assessments’ as one of the issues to be included in an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ).
Download paper prepared for the second BBNJ Prep Com by WWF, August 2016
White Paper on Key Components and Best Practices for Environmental Impact Assessments
Download paper by Duncan E.J. Currie, August 2016
Ten Steps to Marine Protection
Greenpeace’s recommendations on the identification, designation, management and enforcement of marine protected areas and marine reserves in areas beyond national jurisdiction under the new UN Ocean Agreement.
Download paper
IUCN Matrix on Suggestions for Marine Biodiversity Agreement
High Seas Alliance PrepCom1 Side Event
During the PrepCom meeting taking place at UN Headquarters from March 28-April 8, the High Seas Alliance held a side event for government representatives entitled “Governance Principles, EIAs, and Operationalization in the New Instrument.”
The lunch-time event drew over 70 government representatives who gathered to hear an expert panel address key topics being addressed at the PrepCom negotiations. Moderated by Lisa Speer, Director of International Oceans Program at NRDC, panelists included David Freestone, Secretary of the Sargasso Sea Commission, Duncan Currie, International Legal Advisor, and Kristina Gjerde, IUCN Global and Marine Polar Programme.
Download Presentations:
Environmental Impact Assessments – Kristina M. Gjerde
Governance Principles In Practice – Duncan Currie
Governance of Marine Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: towards a principle approach – Dr. David Freestone
Ten Governance Principles for an International Legally Binding Instrument on Marine Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction
The principles set out in this document reflect States' existing international obligations under UNCLOS and other international instruments as well as global norms relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
White Paper on Governance Principles Relevant to Marine Biodiversity in ABNJ: Submission to the Chair
A white paper outlining governance principles relevant to the proposed international legally binding instrument on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. It describes the proposed principles, with an Annex containing excerpts from key international instruments and agreements as precedents for the application of the principle in multilateral instruments. It also sets out ways the principles may be operationalized in the international instrument. It is hoped that this paper will stimulate discussion on some of the fundamental operating and governance principles that may be needed to translate specific operational objectives of any new agreement into established practice.
Duncan E. J. Currie February 2016
High Seas Alliance: Suggestions for Consideration by the Preparatory Committee, March 2016
On June 19, 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 69/292 in which it decided to develop an international legally binding instrument under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. The resolution provides for a preparatory committee “to make substantive recommendations to the General Assembly on the elements of a draft text” of the instrument. The High Seas Alliance submits the following suggestions for consideration by the Preparatory Committee.
Download Submission for PrepCom1
High Seas Environmental Impact Assessments - Pew Briefing
Marine Protected Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction - Pew Briefing
Interventions delivered:
March 28th:
March 29th:
- Pew, GreenPeace, NRDC on behalf of HSA – statement on scope
- Pew, GreenPeace, NRDC on behalf of HSA – statement on principles
March30th:
March 31st:
- Pew, GreenPeace, WWF, NRDC on behalf of HSA – statement on EIA
- GreenPeace, Pew, WWF, NRDC on behalf of HSA – statement on capacity-building & transfer of marine technology
April 1st:
April 4th:
- NRDC on behalf of HSA – WG statement on EIA and scope
- Pew, GreenPeace, NRDC, WWF, OceanCare on behalf of HSA – WG statement on EIA
April 5th:
April 6th:
Overview of Legal, Regulatory and Implementation Gaps
From 16-19 June 2014, governments will gather for the second intersessional “BBNJ” meeting of the UN Working Group to discuss a new high seas biodiversity agreement under UNCLOS. Delegations will discuss the scope and parameters of such an agreement including the legal and regulatory gaps that have resulted in a fragmented approach to ocean governance. Please see the attached Summary and Overview of Legal, Regulatory and Implementation Gaps in the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction.
Elements for a Possible Ocean Sustainable Development Goal
The Tenth Session of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is meeting at the United Nations in New York from 31 March-4 April. The High Seas Alliance and Deep Sea Conservation Coalition have made a submission on proposed elements for inclusion in an Ocean SDG: Achieve healthy, productive and resilient oceans. Download PDF
High Seas Alliance Policy Briefs
From 1-4 April, 2014, governments will gather at the United Nations in New York, for ground-breaking discussions on whether to launch negotiations for a new high seas biodiversity agreement under UNCLOS. These discussions will continue at the UN from 16-19 June, with a focus on the ‘scope, parameters and feasibility’ of a new implementing agreement.
The High Seas Alliance has released a series of policy briefs to coincide with these UN intersessional meetings:
HSA Briefing 1: About the High Seas Alliance
HSA Briefing 2: The Need for a New Implementing Agreement Under UNCLOS on Marine Biodiversity of the High Seas
HSA Briefing 3: Equity, Food Security and Capacity-building
HSA Briefing 4: Wonders of the High Seas
HSA Recommendations on the Scope, Parameters and Feasibility of an UNCLOS Implementing Agreement
To address the issue of the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction, States agreed to take a decision on the development of a new international instrument under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The next meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group will take place from 1 to 4 April 2014. In advance of that meeting, Member States have been invited to submit by 28 February 2014 their views on the scope, parameters and feasibility of such an international instrument under UNCLOS.
See HSA's Policy Recommendations: English French Brazilian Portuguese Arabic Spanish
Synthesis of Gaps Identified in Co-Chairs’ BBNJ Workshop Report
This is a brief summary of gaps identified in the two May BBNJ workshops.
Bringing the Oceans into Sustainable Development: a stand-alone oceans SDG
On February 3-4, the United Nations considered the role of oceans and sustainable development during the Eighth Open-ending Working Group meeting on Sustainable Development Goals. Read contributions by:
Protecting the Ocean We Need - Securing the Future We Want
The case for negotiating a new 'High Seas Biodiversity Agreement'
Alliance Charter
Download the charter of the High Seas Alliance
Position Paper
From 2012 Rio+20: to secure a sea-change for ocean conservation
Science Articles
Videos
The Long and Winding Road - an overview
Area-based Management Tools + Marine Protected Areas and Institutional Arrangements
Environmental Impact Assessments and Strategic Environmental Assessments
Monitoring, Control and Surveillance - Global Fishing Watch
Cross-cutting issues
Ocean Noise - OceanCare
HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco talks about what is at stake on the high seas
Karmenu Vella, Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs & Fisheries, European Commission looks at how far we have come in working to protect the high seas
Teresa Ribera, Minister of Energy and Ecological Transition, Government of Spain speaks to attendees at the event "The High Seas, What's at Stake"
The President of the General Assembly talks about his hopes for the first ever UN Ocean Conference
Dan Lafoley, Marine Vice Chair, IUCN World Commission on Protect Areas and Lisa Speer, Director of International Oceans Program, NRDC – explain the importance of the high seas.
Professor Douglas McCauley explains why it is crucial we protect the high seas now.
What Are The High Seas? Why Do They Need Help?
High time for the High Seas at the UN
Championing the high seas - Google Hangout on Air - Nov. 15, 2014
No Commitment for the High Seas
Alternative summit shows the way forward for oceans at Rio+20
Oceans experts deliver verdict on Rio+20 outcomes