Marine biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ)

Abstract

It is a known fact that 50 to 80% of biodiversity is found in the marine environment. Thus safeguarding marine ecosystems is of critical importance for the sustainable development of present and future generations. The conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in ABNJ is becoming increasingly enticing internationally, as more scientific information is discovered on the productivity of such biodiversity and as we are realising that such biodiversity is also highly susceptible to increasing anthropogenic threats particularly in seamounts, hydrothermal vents and cold-water coral reefs.