Sustainable Management of Marine Protected Areas in the High Seas: From Regional Treaties to a Global New Agreement on Biodiversity in Areas beyond National Jurisdiction

The conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity have recently received attention, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) become key management tools that are gradually being applied to the high seas. However, MPAs in seas requires legal regimes support them, though relevant still immature. This paper summarizes existing regional treaties governing MPAs, agreement on biological diversity areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement). After reviewing comparing their law-making histories, it is argued issues legitimacy, democracy, science not conducive management. It concluded BBNJ Agreement better suited comprehensive can overcome limitations treaties. As does undermine instruments frameworks, will face co-existence different regimes. In context “not undermining,” should be preferentially, ensuring universal participation stakeholders decision-making role soft law for non-contracting parties.