The Fisheries and Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement will be an opportunity to fill gaps in the protection of marine species, the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources has said.
Speaking at a panel discussion held on the sidelines of the second session of the Preparatory Commission ongoing in New York, from 18 to 29 this month ahead of the BBNJ Agreement’s entry into force, the Fisheries Ministry’s Director General Dr Hussain Shinan emphasised the deep connection between the Maldives and the sea, and how the health of the ocean is intertwined with the survival of communities.
In his speech, Shinan described the sea as not simply a resource but a way of life. He said one in five people in the Maldives is engaged in fishing and accounts for 20 percent of the workforce. While fish products account for 98 percent of the Maldives’ exports, tuna is not just a source of income, but also a central part of daily life, he said.
"Our meals are made up of fish, it is our breakfast, lunch and dinner. We consume 154 kilograms of tuna per person per year. This shows how connected we are to the sea and how our identity is formed and shaped by the sea. This is the reason why Maldivians are at the forefront of efforts to protect and preserve it,” Shinan said.
Highlighting the Maldives’ efforts to protect the oceans on the international stage, Shinan said since the Maldives joined the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission in 2011, it has submitted 52 proposals on marine resources protection and management, including proposals on safety measures, bycatch reduction, and conservation of tuna and ray species.
In his speech, Shinan also highlighted the various opportunities that are facilitated by the BBNJ Agreement, such as strengthening cooperation across instruments, frameworks and bodies, including Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (RFMOs) and Multilateral Environmental Agreements. It will also ensure that small island developing states not only have a seat at the table, but also the means to participate fully and meaningfully, while also empowering developing states by building their capacity and enabling them to work alongside global experts.
Maldives also highlighted that operationalising the BBNJ Agreement based on the principles of cooperation, fairness and real capacity-building can ensure that it benefits all, especially those whose lives are tied to the sea the most.
Shinan also expressed concern that executive-level leaders of the countries that are required to comply with the BBNJ remain largely unaware of its scope. He noted that even within governments, fisheries and environmental agencies do not speak the same language in this regard.
Shinan said the Prepcom-2 session is being held at a time when there are no proper coordination mechanisms. He called for greater cooperation with RFMOs, and noted that while some RFMOs already provide capacity building and information exchange opportunities, these efforts need to be expanded.
In addition to Shinan, the panelists included Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission’s Executive Director Rhea Moss-Christian, New Zealand’s Ministry of Primary Industries, FAO Fisheries Committee Chair Adam Berry and Iván López van der Veen, the Chair of International Coalition of Fisheries Associations (ICFA).