NOC Praised in Parliament for Key Role in BBNJ Bill Development

The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) was widely recognised in Parliament for its pivotal role in helping shape the BBNJ Agreement and our leading role in marine scientific research earlier this week.

NOC’s work featured prominently during the Second Reading of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Bill, which was debated in the House of Commons on Thursday 16 October.

During the debate, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Minister for Water and Flooding, Emma Hardy MP, acknowledged NOC’s longstanding support to the UK Government throughout the negotiation and drafting of the BBNJ Agreement. 

In her opening comments, she stated: “Organisations such as the National Oceanography Centre and the Natural History Museum have provided invaluable support to the UK delegation.”

The ensuing debate around the BBNJ Bill proved to be enthusiastic and informative, highlighting the role of ocean science and research throughout with emphasis on the future role organisations such as NOC can play in shaping this vital work.

Dr Roz Savage MP said: “Our scientists are ready to lead. The National Oceanography Centre, with its cutting-edge research and fleet of autonomous submersible vessels - including one known as Boaty McBoatface - is already mapping deep sea currents and gathering the knowledge we need to understand and protect the ocean. Under the BBNJ, that vital work will become part of a global effort to heal the seas.”

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Indo-Pacific Minister, Seema Malhotra MP, added: “There are also clear opportunities for the UK, which has one of the world’s leading marine scientific research communities.

"World-renowned institutions in the UK, such as the National Oceanography Centre, the Marine Biological Association and our leading university marine science departments, are at the forefront of ocean research and will greatly benefit from provisions in the agreement that promote transparency and data sharing around marine genetic resources.”

During the development of the BBNJ Bill, NOC provided expert advice on specialist components of the Agreement, such as marine genetic resource collection, ship management, and storage, technology development and capacity building.