UK advances BBNJ bill as Lords raise human rights at sea and discuss future impacts on high‑seas access, licensing and UK fishing operations
Cross-Party Support for Rights at Sea
Peers in the House of Lords gave rare cross-party support to the principle of human rights at sea during February debates on the legislation required to implement the High Seas Treaty in the UK.
Minister of State for International Development, Rt Hon Baroness Jenny Chapman, led the discussion as amendments to the BBNJ Bill were examined.
What the High Seas Treaty Means
The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, commonly known as the High Seas Treaty, is designed to protect marine biodiversity in waters beyond national boundaries. It introduces legally binding rules for environmental oversight, establishes a process for creating marine protected areas on the high seas, and requires environmental impact assessments for activities that may affect biodiversity.
The treaty entered into force in January and the UK is now moving to embed its provisions into domestic law.
Human Rights Amendment Withdrawn but Welcomed
Human Rights at Sea patron Lord Teverson introduced an amendment calling for explicit human‑rights considerations in the licensing of UK‑flagged vessels operating on the high seas. Although the amendment was withdrawn at the Minister’s request, it received supportive contributions across the House, ensuring the issue is now in the parliamentary record.
Lord Teverson said crews can be “uniquely vulnerable to abuse and intimidation” and stressed the importance of raising these issues directly with government.
Baroness Chapman agreed the matter was important but said the bill was not the appropriate place to legislate for human‑rights provisions. She committed to keeping the issue under review.
David Hammond, Founder of Human Rights at Sea, said the debate “once again placed the issue of human rights’ protections at sea into the official record of the UK Parliament”.
Consequences for the Fishing Industry
The implementation of the BBNJ Treaty will introduce new environmental obligations for UK vessels operating in international waters. High‑seas marine protected areas can now be formally designated, meaning parts of traditional distant‑water grounds may become restricted or closed in future.
Fishing activities beyond national jurisdiction will face stricter environmental scrutiny. The treaty requires environmental impact assessments for operations that could affect high‑seas ecosystems, which will place new compliance responsibilities on UK‑flagged vessels and their operators.
Licensing conditions are also expected to tighten. UK regulators will have to ensure that high‑seas operations demonstrate low environmental impact, maintain transparent reporting, and meet biodiversity‑protection standards. This may influence vessel access, fishing patterns and the operational viability of certain distant‑water activities.
While the treaty does not replace regional fisheries management bodies, it does require the UK to align its positions within them to reflect these new environmental standards. This adds another layer of governance that the fishing industry will need to navigate as the treaty is phased into practice.
Ongoing Parliamentary Engagement
The question of how the UK can improve human‑rights protections at sea was first raised in Parliament by Lord Teverson in 2021. His continued engagement reflects a growing recognition that environmental stewardship and labour conditions are increasingly linked within global maritime governance.
What the Withdrawn Amendment Intended
The amendment would have required licensing authorities to consider the human‑rights implications for those working at sea when assessing applications for high‑seas operations. Although not adopted, it remains a subject for further ministerial discussion.
Next Steps
The BBNJ legislation continues its passage through Parliament as the UK prepares to integrate High Seas Treaty obligations into domestic law. Further meetings between ministers, peers and stakeholder groups are expected as the scope of the UK’s responsibilities under the treaty becomes more fully defined.
