Experts Appointed To Sargasso Commission
The Bermuda Government has appointed three experts to the Sargasso Sea Commission, expanding its membership to eight, to support high-seas conservation and advance protections under the UN BBNJ Agreement.
A Government spokesperson said, “The Government of Bermuda is pleased to announce the appointment of three experts to the Sargasso Sea Commission. Their role is to support the conservation of the Sargasso Sea’s high-seas ecosystem.
“The three Commissioners are: Professor Murray Roberts, who has been appointed for his second three-year term, Elizabeth McLanahan, the former Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Dr Cassander Titley-O’Neal, Director of the National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands.
“Professor Roberts’ inclusion in this cohort does not represent a new appointment but rather the continuation of his service on the Commission.
“The appointment of these Commissioners expands the number of Sargasso Sea Commissioners from seven to eight. This increase follows the conclusion of service by former Commissioner Mrs Rochelle Newbold, whose term has ended.
“The Government has championed the conservation of this iconic high seas area under the Hamilton Declaration on Collaboration for the Conservation of the Sargasso Sea for over a decade.
“The voluntary declaration brings together representatives from ten signatory governments and a panel of scientific expert Commissioners working in their independent capacities to strengthen the stewardship of the Sargasso Sea.”
Minister of Public Works and Environment, the Hon. Jache Adams, JP, MP, stated: “The Sargasso Sea is located in the high seas, but the benefits of protecting this ecosystem extend to our inshore waters and our island.
“The Bermuda Government is proud to strengthen the stewardship of the Sargasso Sea through its support of the Commission’s work plan and role in appointing expert Sargasso Sea Commissioners.”
A Government spokesperson added, “The Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction [BBNJ Agreement] was finalised in 2023 and is now set to come into force in January 2026 provides new pathways to conservation for the Sargasso Sea.
“The BBNJ agreement would allow for internationally legally binding marine protected areas to be established on the high seas for the first time.”
Dr David Freestone, Executive Secretary of the Sargasso Sea Commission, commented: “The Sargasso Sea is already being held up as a premier site to pioneer the new conservation regime established by the 2023 UN BBNJ Agreement.
“With a robust science case now complete, we look forward to collaborating with Sargasso Sea stakeholders to create a conservation plan for the area, which could include a proposal for the conservation of the Sargasso Sea to the BBNJ COP.”
A Government spokesperson added, “Funded by the Global Environment Facility and the French Facility for Global Environment, the Sargasso Sea Commission has recently completed a first draft socio-ecosystem diagnostic analysis [SEDA] for the Sargasso Sea.
“This comprehensive scientific document lays out the ecological and economic importance of the Sargasso Sea, as well as the human pressures it faces.
“It will form the factual basis for discussion of a strategic action programme [SAP] for the Sargasso Sea, which Sargasso Sea stakeholders will endorse.”
The full 3 Appointments SSC follows below [PDF here]:
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