Parliament has ratified two significant international agreements aimed at protecting marine resources and biodiversity during their last sitting.
The Lower House approved both the UN Convention on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction and the Agreement on Fishery Subsidies during Thursday’s session.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne emphasized the marine biodiversity treaty’s importance: “This particular convention is very important for us to be part of it and to be part of the overall UN CLOS convention, that is the United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea, so that we can get the necessary protections and at the same time to ensure that entities, countries, companies involved in fossil fuels and other environmentally degrading actions can be held responsible under the law.”
The agreement builds upon Antigua and Barbuda’s groundbreaking legal action at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.
“Antigua and Barbuda is the only such country that has gone to Italy and would have gotten a favourable opinion in which we can take legal action to protect our environment,” Browne noted.
PM Browne noted the success of these legal efforts: “We were successful in getting a favourable opinion. It means, therefore, that if we wish, we can potentially take one of these large polluters to court and to hold them responsible for the tort that they are literally committed against all of humanity through their carbon emissions, in which they allegedly pollute in our seas.”
The PM further emphasized the marine biodiversity treaty’s importance for addressing real environmental threats: “In the Caribbean, we are seeing the acidification of our seas to the extent that we have lost most of our coral reefs dying as a result of the acidification. We have also seen a warming of our seas to the extent that we are losing a very valuable coastline and as a country that depends on tourism, on its marine space, it’s important that we continue to take the necessary actions to preserve our biodiversity.”
The MP for St. Mary’s North, Sir Molwyn Joseph, highlighted the historical significance of Antigua and Barbuda’s leadership in this area: “This small island of Antigua and Barbuda, led by the Prime Minister, supported by the Department of the Environment… made headlines in Glasgow. Antigua led the fight when some other small islands were saying, ‘Are you going to sue the big countries? Isn’t there a risk?’”
He added that the initiative represents “climate justice” and demonstrates what can happen “when small islands have the courage and provide leadership.”
The fisheries subsidies agreement, presented by the Member for All Saints West, Anthony Smith, complements these conservation efforts by prohibiting harmful fishing subsidies that contribute to overfishing and illegal fishing practices.
Attorney General Benjamin explained key provisions of the fisheries treaty: “No member who signs shall grant or maintain any subsidy to any vessel or operator engaged in illegal activities, unreported or unregulated fishing.”
“It further states that no Member shall grant or maintain subsidies for fishing regarding an overfished stock,” Benjamin added, noting that countries can make determinations about depleted fish species in their waters.
The Prime Minister also highlighted Antigua and Barbuda’s record of environmental advocacy: “There is no other administration in the past that can stand or can compare to my administration in terms of the work that we’ve done in climate and sustainable development in this country.”
He added that these agreements are part of broader international negotiations, noting discussions at the International Maritime Organization about potential carbon taxes on international shipping, which would have significant implications for island nations dependent on imported goods.
Attorney General Benjamin praised the country’s leadership role: “Not only has Antigua led the way in these matters internationally, our responsibility is not only within our national borders. I think the nation as a whole ought to be proud of the leadership which Antigua and Barbuda has made in the international scenes.”
