Marine and coastal biological diversity: conservation and sustainable use
of deep seabed genetic resources beyond the limits of national jurisdiction
The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice,
Recalling paragraph 54 of decision VII/5,
Noting United Nations General Assembly resolution 59/24 which
establishes the Ad Hoc Openended Informal Working Group to study issues related
to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond areas of
national jurisdiction,
1. Takes note of the assessment of status and trends of, and threats to,
deep seabed genetic resources beyond national jurisdiction contained in section
III of the note by the Executive Secretary on status and trends of, and threats
to, deep seabed genetic resources beyond national jurisdiction, and
identification of technical options for their conservation and sustainable use
(UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/11/11);
2. Invites Parties and other Governments to provide to the Executive
Secretary further comments on the assessment of status and trends of, and
threats to, deep seabed genetic resources beyond national jurisdiction as
contained in section III of the note by the Executive Secretary, as soon as
possible but no later than 15 January 2006;
3. Requests the Executive Secretary, based on the deliberations of the
eleventh meeting of SBSTTA and comments received from Parties pursuant to
paragraph 2 above, to make available this scientific information to the Ad Hoc
Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues related to the conservation
and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond areas of national
jurisdiction established by the General Assembly through its resolution 59/24;
4. Recommends that the Conference of the Parties:
(a) Notes that deep seabed ecosystems beyond the limits of national
jurisdiction, including hydrothermalvent, coldseep, seamount, coldwater coral
and spongereef ecosystems, contain genetic resources of great interest for
their biodiversity value and for scientific research as well as for present and
future sustainable development and commercial applications;
(b) Recognizes that given the vulnerability and general lack of
scientific knowledge of deep seabed biodiversity, there is an urgent need to
enhance scientific research and cooperation and to provide for the conservation
and sustainable use of these genetic resources in the context of the
precautionary approach;
(c) Concerned about the threats to genetic resources in the deep seabed
beyond national jurisdiction, requests Parties and urges other
States, having identified activities and processes under their jurisdiction and
control which may have significant adverse impacts on deep seabed ecosystems
and species in these areas, as requested in paragraph 56 of decision VII/5, to
take measures to urgently manage such practices in vulnerable deep seabed
ecosystems with a view to the conservation and sustainable use of resources,
and report on measures taken as part of the national reporting process;
(d) Also invites Parties, other Governments, research institutions and
other relevant organizations to make available information on research
activities related to deep seabed genetic resources beyond the limits of
national jurisdiction and ensure that the results of such marine scientific
research and analysis, when available, are effectively disseminated through
international channels, as appropriate, in accordance with international law,
including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and requests
the Executive Secretary, in collaboration with relevant organizations, to
compile and further disseminate such information through the clearing-house
mechanism;
(e) Be aware of a preliminary range of options which Parties and other
States, individually or in cooperation, may utilize for the protection of deep
seabed genetic resources beyond national jurisdiction, which may include: (i)
the use of codes of conduct, guidelines and principles; and (ii)reduction and
management of threats including through: permits and environmental impact
assessments; establishment of marine protected areas; prohibition of
detrimental and destructive practices in vulnerable areas; and emphasizes the
need for further work in developing all of these options and other options, in
particular within the framework of the United Nations;[4]/
(f)
Recognizes also that the United Nations Convention on the Law
of the Sea regulates activities in the marine areas beyond national
jurisdiction, and urges Parties and other States to cooperate within the
relevant international and/or regional organizations in order to promote the
conservation, management and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas
beyond national jurisdiction, including deep seabed genetic resources;
(g) Requests the Executive Secretary, in collaboration with the United
Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, and other relevant
international organizations, to further analyse and explore options for
preventing and mitigating the impacts of some activities to selected seabed
habitats and report the findings to future meetings of the Subsidiary Body on
Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice;
(h) Notes the existence of the scientific information generated through
other programmes of work including that on protected areas;
(i) Emphasizes the urgent need, especially in developing countries, to
build capacities relating to deep seabed biodiversity, including taxonomic
capacity; to promote scientific and technical cooperation and technology
transfer; and to exchange information regarding activities undertaken within
the deep seabed beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.
[4]/ Some delegations stated that
these issues should not be considered within the framework of the Convention on
Biological Diversity.
