Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill 2025-11-17

The Bill will affect the fishing industry primarily through the creation of marine protected areas and stricter environmental impact assessments. The hon. Member agrees that engagement with the fishing sector is essential, emphasising the priority of viability for fishing and food security.

Welcomes and supports the Bill as an important step forward but questions if the Government will provide necessary resources to ensure effective protection. The right hon. Member suggests that the UK should consider existing obligations without imposing extra burdens.

Asks how the Bill will help unlock innovation in marine science, emphasising its enhancement of biodiversity and ocean protection. Seema Malhotra responds by stating that ratifying the agreement will facilitate sharing benefits widely and efficiently.

Welcomes the Bill but urges for a new international taskforce to protect at least 30% of the Atlantic ocean by 2030. The hon. Lady suggests that this measure will show global leadership in environmental protection.

Asks for an opportunity to contribute, showing interest in further discussing the Bill's provisions and implications.

Questions the Minister's confidence in resource allocation for adherence to the Antarctic treaty amidst increasing access and pollution issues.

Responds by affirming UK commitment to international management of the Antarctic through the treaty system, emphasising the importance of international collaboration in environmental protection.

Acknowledges the Minister's speech on leadership in marine conservation, requests information on multilateral cooperation with other countries to protect areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Emphasises the necessity of international collaboration and dialogue with UN bodies and nations for effective environmental management and protection.

Supports the Government's amendments, highlighting the importance of proactive measures against ocean heating, bottom trawling, and acidification. Emphasises that this Bill is part of a broader mission to restore nature beyond national borders.

Supports the passage of the Bill, expressing appreciation for those long-time champions for ocean protection and recognising the importance of the legislation in fostering international leadership on biodiversity conservation.

The oceans cover two thirds of the planet, and the high seas—the areas beyond national jurisdictions—make up nearly half the world's surface. The Bill aims to protect these vulnerable areas from exploitation and aligns with a cross-party consensus for long-term environmental policy.

The ocean plays a critical role in regulating climate, generating oxygen, absorbing carbon, feeding billions of people, sustaining cultures and anchoring weather systems. The Bill aims to protect the high seas and align with global efforts to conserve marine biodiversity.

The UK's overseas territories hold 94% of its biodiversity, and areas like the blue hole near the Falkland Islands are unregulated fishing zones. The ratification of the BBNJ agreement can help tackle these issues by providing clarity on previously unregulated areas.

While welcoming the UK's cross-party support for the Bill, Dr Savage emphasises that domestic coherence is crucial to international credibility. The Liberal Democrats call for strong marine environmental targets and robust monitoring and enforcement of high-seas sanctuaries.

Welcomes the Bill but questions if sufficient protections exist against illegal whaling in Antarctica and highlights the issue of plastic pollution under the ocean, which requires addressing through improved waste management systems. Also raises concerns about resources needed for monitoring overfishing.

Supports the need to establish a regime at COP1 next year to enforce the new treaty, ensuring that countries guilty of overfishing and pollution are brought into enforcement measures.

Acknowledges the importance of healthy marine ecosystems for global fisheries and climate regulation. Explains why the Government does not support certain amendments proposed by the shadow Minister, highlighting existing provisions in the Bill.

The Bill is essential for protecting the ocean, advancing marine science, and ensuring UK leadership in international efforts. It will enable the United Kingdom to ratify the biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction agreement to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond any nation's control. The Bill delivers on our international commitments and ensures that British scientists, institutions, and innovators remain at the forefront of ocean research and biotechnology.

Supports the core purpose of the Bill to safeguard high seas biodiversity, promote fair sharing of marine genetic resources benefits, establish clear assessment tools. Emphasises need for parliamentary scrutiny over ministerial powers under future decisions by international bodies.