This is a key development and doesn’t seem to have been reported on the official websites. Hence this interesting source:

World Ocean Council: ‘The U.N. General Assembly (UNGA) last week adopted a formal resolution to develop a legally-binding treaty for the conservation of marine biodiversity on the ‘high seas’. The new ocean regulations are proposed to include: area-based management tools, such as marine planning and marine protected areas; environmental impact assessment (EIA) requirements; the transfer of marine technology; and a regime for managing marine genetic resources, including benefit-sharing. These developments have potentially significant implications for ocean economic activities, such as shipping, oil and gas, cruise tourism, fishing, marine mining, biotechnology, submarine cable, as well as for related sectors, such as maritime law, insurance and investment.

The UNGA resolution identifies “the need for the comprehensive global regime to better address the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.” The resolution calls for a two-year preparatory process in 2016-2017 to develop the treaty elements.’ To read more go to:

http://www.bunkerportsnews.com/News.aspx?ElementId=b4a64d31-bb6c-4e28-9c8a-933eef9c926f