The Marine Biological Association (MBA) welcomes the news that the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement has now become UK law, having received Royal Assent. This marks the completion of the UK legislative process required to ratify and implement the landmark High Seas Treaty.
With the passing of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill, the UK can now formally implement the international BBNJ Agreement – a global treaty designed to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, which encompass almost two‑thirds of the global ocean.
The Agreement, which entered into force globally on 17 January 2026 after reaching the required ratification threshold in September 2025, establishes the first comprehensive legal framework for protecting biodiversity in international waters. It supports four major areas of action:
- Marine genetic resources and fair benefit‑sharing
- Area‑based management tools, including new high‑seas Marine Protected Areas
- Environmental impact assessments for activities that may affect biodiversity
- Capacity‑building and technology transfer for developing states.
This major legislative milestone strengthens global ocean governance and supports internationally coordinated efforts to protect marine life, mitigate climate impacts, and advance biodiversity recovery.
The BBNJ Agreement aligns directly with the MBA’s longstanding mission to advance scientific understanding of marine ecosystems and support evidence‑based conservation. Its emphasis on environmental assessments, high‑seas protected areas and transparent data sharing will ensure that research continues to underpin global biodiversity goals, including the ambition to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030.
“This is a story of collaboration of over 20 years between policy makers, lawmakers and the scientific community working together to safeguard marine biodiversity in the high seas,” said Professor Willie Wilson, Chief Executive of the Marine Biological Association.
“The hard work starts now. The government will need to use robust scientific evidence and expertise to ensure that future actions are underpinned by sound science. The Marine Biological Association will play a key role in ensuring the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement is successfully implemented.”
The MBA’s research community stands ready to contribute the scientific expertise required to support the UK’s leadership in implementing this transformative international agreement.
