Urging The State To Adopt The Agreement Under The United Nations Convention On The Law Of The Sea On The Conservation And Sustainable Use Of Marine Biological Diversity Of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction And Support Legislative, Administrative, And Policy Measures To Implement The Agreement At The State And County Levels.
The resolution encourages Hawaii to implement legislative, administrative, and policy measures that align with the BBNJ Agreement and emphasizes the need for dealing with pressing issues such as climate change, pollution, and the degradation of marine ecosystems. By adopting the Agreement, Hawaii would be supporting efforts to curb biological diversity loss and promote sustainable practices in the management of marine resources. This could potentially lead to enhancements in local laws, particularly those pertaining to coastal management and environmental protection.
Senate Resolution 127 (SR127) urges the State of Hawaii to adopt the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea regarding the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement). This Agreement aims to enhance the protection and conservation of marine biodiversity and ecosystems that are not confined within any national jurisdiction, thereby promoting a collective approach to managing ocean resources that affect all nations globally. It represents a significant step towards multilateral cooperation in ocean governance.
While the bill supports conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, it may face contention from various stakeholders who might have conflicting interests in marine resource utilization. Proponents of the Agreement argue that it provides critical frameworks necessary to address climate impacts, particularly for vulnerable ocean regions. However, opponents may resist such regulations fearing that they could restrict commercial activities or affect local traditions and practices related to ocean use. The balance between conservation efforts and economic activities will need careful navigation as the state progresses in this direction.