Implementation of Part IV of the BBNJ Agreement

Overview

Calling for evidence on potential activities taking place in the high seas and seeking views on proposed amendments to the marine licensing regime under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (MCAA) and the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 (MSA) to implement Part IV of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement on environmental impact assessments (EIA).

This consultation also includes the Scottish Government’s proposals to implement Part IV of the BBNJ Agreement and reviews the division of licensing responsibilities in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) between the MCAA and the MSA. 

We are seeking information on marine activities in ABNJ including:

• what activities are taking place in ABNJ currently, and what activities may take place in ABNJ in future
• who is carrying out, or likely to carry out, these activities and what is their connection to the UK
• evidence on likely environmental impacts of these activities

We also want to know what you think about proposed legislative changes to implement the EIA Part of the BBNJ Agreement as it applies to licensable marine activities, including:

• proposals to extend marine licensing to additional activities in ABNJ
• proposals for exemptions for activities in ABNJ
• proposals for activity-specific regulatory approaches 
• proposals for the application process and guidance for regulating activities in ABNJ

Why your views matter

Defra and the Scottish Government will use the responses to this consultation to finalise the UK’s approach to regulating marine activities occurring in ABNJ for the purposes of implementing the UK’s obligations in relation to EIAs under the BBNJ Agreement.