Bahamas, Cayman Islands and TCI sign declaration to protect Sargasso Sea
Key Points(5)
- The Bahamas, Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands are among the territories and countries that have signed a new declaration aimed at strengthening international protections for the Sargasso Sea.
- The Hamilton II Declaration was signed on Oct.
- 19 during an inaugural ceremony hosted by the governments of Bermuda and the United Kingdom, bringing together representatives from governments, civil society and the scientific community.
- The declaration builds on the original Hamilton Declaration, signed more than a decade ago, and seeks to advance international cooperation to conserve the Sargasso Sea, a marine ecosystem in the North Atlantic known for its distinctive floating seaweed and biodiversity.
- According to the joint statement from the UK and Bermuda, the declaration is intended to begin the process of securing support from parties to the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement for legally binding measures to protect the Sargasso Sea.
The Bahamas, Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands are among the territories and countries that have signed a new declaration aimed at strengthening international protections for the Sargasso Sea.
The Hamilton II Declaration was signed on Oct. 19 during an inaugural ceremony hosted by the governments of Bermuda and the United Kingdom, bringing together representatives from governments, civil society and the scientific community.
The declaration builds on the original Hamilton Declaration, signed more than a decade ago, and seeks to advance international cooperation to conserve the Sargasso Sea, a marine ecosystem in the North Atlantic known for its distinctive floating seaweed and biodiversity.
According to the joint statement from the UK and Bermuda, the declaration is intended to begin the process of securing support from parties to the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement for legally binding measures to protect the Sargasso Sea.
The BBNJ Agreement, which has entered into force, establishes an international framework for conserving and sustainably using marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
The first conference of parties to the agreement is scheduled for January 2027 in New York, where the UK and Bermuda hope to secure broader international support for the initiative.
The Bahamas, Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands joined representatives of the Azores and Monaco in signing the declaration, alongside more than 20 nongovernmental organizations. The European Union has also indicated its intention to sign at a further ceremony planned for the January meeting.
Bermuda’s Minister of Public Works and Environment, Jache Adams, said the signing recognized progress made since the original declaration while highlighting the work still needed to protect the marine environment.
“The Sargasso Sea is one of the world's great ocean ecosystems, and its conservation depends on the willingness of nations and partners to work together toward a common purpose,” Adams said.
UK Minister for the Overseas Territories Uma Kumaran said the declaration was developed through extensive engagement with governments and civil society, building on more than a decade of work by the Sargasso Sea Commission, scientists and conservation organizations.
The initiative is led jointly by Bermuda and the UK, with support from Government House in Bermuda, which helped bring together individuals and organizations involved in the effort.
The signatories are encouraging other interested countries and partners to join the initiative as efforts continue to establish stronger international protections for the Sargasso Sea and its marine life.
