China’s role in global marine conservation: opportunities and challenges in implementing ABMTs in ABNJ under the BBNJ Agreement

Area-based management tools (ABMTs) are crucial for conserving marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The BBNJ Agreement establishes a global framework for the protection of critical ocean areas through implementing ABMTs. While this agreement provides a global framework,...

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Main Authors: Xiaojing Miao, Li Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Marine Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1573699/full
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author Xiaojing Miao
Li Chen
author_facet Xiaojing Miao
Li Chen
author_sort Xiaojing Miao
collection DOAJ
description Area-based management tools (ABMTs) are crucial for conserving marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The BBNJ Agreement establishes a global framework for the protection of critical ocean areas through implementing ABMTs. While this agreement provides a global framework, its success relies on individual states’ participation and dedication. China has signed the BBNJ Agreement, recognizing the essential role of this global framework in coordinating international efforts to implement ABMTs. This article argues that China possesses capabilities to advance ABMTs in ABNJ, drawing from its established national policies, institutional framework, international collaboration, and extensive experience managing domestic marine protected areas (MPAs). However, to reinforce its contribution to global marine conservation, China needs to overcome key challenges. These include enhancing domestic legislation to better align with BBNJ Agreement, and building expertise in implementing ABMTs in ABNJ.
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publishDate 2025-03-01
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series Frontiers in Marine Science
spelling doaj-art-0f07b32f93ef494184f8afe8cc6e24382025-08-20T01:49:27ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Marine Science2296-77452025-03-011210.3389/fmars.2025.15736991573699China’s role in global marine conservation: opportunities and challenges in implementing ABMTs in ABNJ under the BBNJ AgreementXiaojing Miao0Li Chen1KoGuan School of Law, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, ChinaLaw School, Fudan University, Shanghai, ChinaArea-based management tools (ABMTs) are crucial for conserving marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The BBNJ Agreement establishes a global framework for the protection of critical ocean areas through implementing ABMTs. While this agreement provides a global framework, its success relies on individual states’ participation and dedication. China has signed the BBNJ Agreement, recognizing the essential role of this global framework in coordinating international efforts to implement ABMTs. This article argues that China possesses capabilities to advance ABMTs in ABNJ, drawing from its established national policies, institutional framework, international collaboration, and extensive experience managing domestic marine protected areas (MPAs). However, to reinforce its contribution to global marine conservation, China needs to overcome key challenges. These include enhancing domestic legislation to better align with BBNJ Agreement, and building expertise in implementing ABMTs in ABNJ.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1573699/fullBBNJ AgreementABNJABMTsChinamarine biodiversitymarine protected areas
spellingShingle Xiaojing Miao
Li Chen
China’s role in global marine conservation: opportunities and challenges in implementing ABMTs in ABNJ under the BBNJ Agreement
Frontiers in Marine Science
BBNJ Agreement
ABNJ
ABMTs
China
marine biodiversity
marine protected areas
title China’s role in global marine conservation: opportunities and challenges in implementing ABMTs in ABNJ under the BBNJ Agreement
title_full China’s role in global marine conservation: opportunities and challenges in implementing ABMTs in ABNJ under the BBNJ Agreement
title_fullStr China’s role in global marine conservation: opportunities and challenges in implementing ABMTs in ABNJ under the BBNJ Agreement
title_full_unstemmed China’s role in global marine conservation: opportunities and challenges in implementing ABMTs in ABNJ under the BBNJ Agreement
title_short China’s role in global marine conservation: opportunities and challenges in implementing ABMTs in ABNJ under the BBNJ Agreement
title_sort china s role in global marine conservation opportunities and challenges in implementing abmts in abnj under the bbnj agreement
topic BBNJ Agreement
ABNJ
ABMTs
China
marine biodiversity
marine protected areas
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1573699/full
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AT lichen chinasroleinglobalmarineconservationopportunitiesandchallengesinimplementingabmtsinabnjunderthebbnjagreement