Four sessions of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) developing the framework of an international, legally binding instrument — on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) — were held from 2016 to 2017. The process advanced according to four key themes of negotiation:
(1) Marine genetic resources (MGRs);
(2) Area-based management tools (ABMTs);
(3) Environmental impact assessment (EIA); and
(4) Capacity building and transfer of marine technology (CB-TMT).
This contribution examines the institutional arrangements within each of these themes, from the perspective of the science / policy-making relationships.
Scientific bodies are suggested for the following functions:
(1) MGRs: Recommending thresholds of material scope which are allowed to be extracted, and for elaborating guidelines on access and benefit-sharing;
(2) ABMTs: Developing criteria for identifying areas, examining proposals, and monitoring / reviewing ABMTs;
(3) EIAs: Elaborating activity criteria, making recommendations to decision-making bodies concerning EIA submissions, and reviewing EIA processes;
(4) CB-TMT: Scientific advisory bodies are suggested for follow-up.
More careful handling is required in upcoming BBNJ negotiation regarding the relationship decision-making body and scientific bodies involved in evaluating or reviewing processes.
It should be necessary to clarify the location of responsibility for policy decision when the scientific body involved in.This issue should be solved by the careful discussion on mechanism-creation in upcoming negotiation process.
When the negotiator adopts an evaluating or reviewing scientific body in new BBNJ agreement, they should work out to avoid putting the responsibility for decision making on scientists.
Topics: Marine policy , Topics: Advancing marine conservation through international treaties
