How to manage genetic resources in the Arctic Ocean?

Abstract

The paper examines possible mechanisms for states to manage genetic resources in the Arctic Ocean in the general context of internationally agreed norms on the conservation of biological diversity and the increasing attention of states to the degradation of the world ocean ecosystems. The main attention is paid to the cumulative consideration of the rules on marine living resources, including genetic ones, which are provided for in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity, as well as its 2000 and 2010 Protocols. The entry into force of the UN Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction is being assessed as a long-term perspective. The authors provide arguments in favor of implementing a regional or bilateral mechanism for managing Arctic marine genetic resources.