Bioprospecting in the deep sea

Sea Urchin

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The expanding exploration of deep-sea marine biodiversity for scientific, as well as commercial purposes (also known as “bioprospecting”) has drawn increasing attention to the question of access to and benefits from marine genetic resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction.The absence of any legal regime to regulate these activities means that bioprospecting on the high seas is an unregulated industry. As such, it poses a threat to deep-sea ecosystems, which due to their unique biological characteristics are particularly vulnerable to habitat disturbance.The current uncertain legal status surrounding deep-sea genetic resources, the rise in patents on marine life and the need for an equitable access and benefit-sharing regime regarding bioprospecting, underscores the lack of a comprehensive high seas oceans governance regime to protect and conserve marine biodiversity.

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