South Africa has signed the High Seas Treaty, or the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement (BBNJ).
The signing ceremony was at the United Nations Oceans Conference, held in France, Nice, this week.
Speaking about the significance of this action, Dr Dion George, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, said “South Africa values the integration of robust scientific research and traditional knowledge systems, in ocean governance. This dual approach strengthens decision making, ensures cultural inclusion and builds community ownership.”
Dr George also said the signature positions the country as a bridge-builder between global ambition and local action.
BBNJ is expected to address gaps in the governance of the sea, through the introduction of tools for areas based management, EIAs (environmental assessments), sharing of marine genetic resources.
Environmentalists have lauded the Treaty as relevant in a myriad of challenges faced by the ocean, including pollution, overfishing, biodiversity loss.