Details
- Identification
- PDF ISBN 978-92-9405-180-6 doi:10.2926/7945806 HZ-01-25-016-EN-N, PDF ISBN 978-92-9405-175-2 doi:10.10.2926/1599100 HZ-01-25-012-EN-N
- Publication date
- 20 February 2025
- Author
- European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency
Description
The European Commission asked for a study on marine genetic resources market value and state of the art of commercialisation of related products in the context of the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). The study was funded under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). The final report and executive summary are now available.
The goals of the study were to:
- Map the recent and planned marine scientific research activities undertaken in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction that look into exploring marine genetic resources in those areas;
- Investigate the market value and state of commercialisation of marine genetic resources from areas beyond national jurisdiction through a scientific and patent landscape analysis; and
- Provide regulatory options for the sharing of the monetary benefits arising from the utilisation of marine genetic resources from areas beyond national jurisdiction in the context of the BBNJ Agreement.
The study has been conducted by a consortium led by Belgium based ABS International (ABSint – 3BIO ) and two UK based subcontractors: POMC consulting Ltd (trading name One World Analytics) and the University of Aberdeen. The main experts involved are Thomas Vanagt (ABSint), Paul Oldham (One World Analytics) and Marcel Jaspars (University of Aberdeen).
The outcomes will feed the future negotiations at the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Conference of the Parties, once the Agreement enters into force.
Background
In 2023 a groundbreaking international treaty on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction was adopted by the United Nations. This so-called High Seas Treaty or Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement consists of four main chapters respectively on:
- Marine Genetic Resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits;
- Area-based management tools; Environmental impact assessments;
- Capacity building and transfer of marine technology.
To support future discussion on modalities of monetary benefit-sharing (Art. 14.7 of the Treaty), a more accurate picture is needed of the actual and potential value of Marine Genetic Resources of biodiversity areas beyond national jurisdiction.
