Pew Policy Statement: United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea

The Pew Environment Group urges States to focus at ICP on a strong outcome that will help ensure ocean priorities at Rio+20, including a way forward so that the high seas are governed effectively and transparently, that unsustainable and harmful fisheries practices are ended, and that the ocean is managed in accordance with the precautionary principle and the ecosystem approach.

Pew applauds States for progress commenced at the Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction (BBNJ) and for the decisions taken at its meeting on 3 June 2011. Recommendations to the UN General Assembly (UNGA) agreed at the BBNJ meeting show a commitment to progress on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. We urge States to take this forward, to address the development of new governance measures for the conservation of marine biodiversity, both within and beyond national jurisdiction, including the convening of a negotiating conference that could lead to a new implementing agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to address governance gaps in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

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