Regulatory framework relating to access and benefit sharing mechanisms of marine genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge

Abstract

Management of coastal and marine ecosystems has evolved into an extensive newlineframework, where the interplay between a multitude of national, international, and newlineregional laws and policies are taking place. Incredibly diverse ecosystems and newlinebiodiversity with unique adaptations to survive the extreme and varying water column newlinepressure, absence of light, and extreme temperatures are the inhabitants of ABNJ. The newlineocean region hosts a wide array of species with commercial and research potential, newlinesome of which inhabit only the deeper parts of the ocean.1 newline The marine Areas Beyond newlineNational Jurisdiction (ABNJ) constitute 40 per cent of the surface of our planet, newlinecomprising 64 per cent of the surface of the oceans and marine areas and around 95 per newlinecent of its volume. The number of marine species used by humans is growing at newlineunprecedented rates, including domestication for aquaculture, the discovery of natural newlineproducts, and research and development over marine genes of medical and newlinebiotechnological interest.2 newline Marine Genetic Resources (MGRs) grabbed the attention of newlinethe international scientific community for their potential scope and application in newlinediverse industries like genetic engineering, molecular and cell biology, agriculture, newlineaquaculture, food industry, cosmetics, biotechnology, bioremediation, biofuels, and newlinehuman health.3 newline Thus, the marine biological diversity of ABNJ, particularly the MGRs, newlineis the genetic material/resources having an actual and/or potential value deriving from newlinethe high seas and the area . newline