The future of marine protected area governance in the North-East Atlantic

What is it about?

The article addresses one of the major challenges in drafting a new international legally binding instrument (ILBI) on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ), which is the creation of institutional arrangements. It examines a governance model reflected in the BBNJ Draft text and evaluates its effectiveness in interacting with the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR Convention) to establish marine protected areas (MPAs). The article argues that the BBNJ ILBI has the potential to enhance the efforts of regional bodies in establishing MPAs, rather than undermining them.

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Why is it important?

There are currently very few protected areas on the high seas. This needs to change, and in order to do so it is crucial that regional organizations, like OSPAR, work effectively.