BBNJ: Collection of marine genetic resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction
Find out if collection requirements apply to your activity and what information you must provide before and after collecting marine genetic resources.
Understand what counts as collection
The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026 sets out requirements for providing information before and after collecting marine genetic resources (MGR) of areas beyond national jurisdiction.
There are exceptions for some collection activities, including:
- fishing
- fishing-related activities
- activities in Antarctica
More information about exceptions is available in separate guidance.
Check if an exception applies to your activity.
To collect MGR means collecting or sampling MGR, other than incidentally when carrying out an activity for another purpose.
This includes activities targeted at obtaining MGR, including:
- marine scientific research
- sampling activities
- commercial collection activities, sometimes referred to as bioprospecting
Sampling includes situations where MGR are not removed from areas beyond national jurisdiction but are used to extract data.
This includes sampling for environmental DNA (eDNA).
The definition of collection does not include situations where MGR are not the target of the research but may be incidentally gathered when carrying out another activity.
Examples
MGR collected incidentally in sediment core samples would not be considered collection if there is no intention to research those MGR.
MGR collected incidentally in the collection of water samples for conductivity, depth and temperature purposes would not be considered collection if there is no intention to research those MGR.
Check when the Act applies to collection
The collection requirements in the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026 apply where there is a collection project, i.e. :
- a UK craft is used, and
- MGR are collected in areas beyond national jurisdiction, and
- the collection takes place after the BBNJ Agreement entered into force for the UK
For the UK, the Agreement entered into force on 9 August 2026.
Understand what counts as a collection project
A collection project is any activity in which MGR of areas beyond national jurisdiction are collected or sampled, other than incidentally when carrying out an activity for another purpose.
This includes collection by:
- academic institutions
- philanthropic organisations
- private entities, including companies
- individuals undertaking sporting or recreational activities
where the collection is undertaken using a UK craft.
Check whether you are using a UK craft
A UK craft is:
- a ship registered in the UK
- a small ship as defined in section 1(1)(d) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995
- a government ship within the meaning of section 308(4) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995
- a vessel, machine, structure or other item with a qualifying UK connection
Related information:
The provisions of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026 do not apply to ships registered in a UK Overseas Territory or Crown Dependency, even if they are used to collect MGR by an individual or institution based in the UK. This includes ships owned by the UK government and registered in an Overseas Territory.
If the collection project uses a ship registered in the UK, including a government research ship or a small ship under section 1(1)(d) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, the provisions of the Act apply regardless of the nationality of the scientists on board that ship.
If the collection project uses a UK government-owned craft operating under a charter or barter arrangement, the provisions of the Act apply regardless of the nationality of the institution or individuals involved in that arrangement.
The provisions of the Act do not apply to a ship registered in another country, even if that vessel:
- has UK scientists on board
- leaves from a UK port to conduct the collection project
Check whether a vessel, machine, structure or other item has a qualifying UK connection
The definition of craft includes:
- moving machines, such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) or gliders
- fixed platforms
- aircraft
The definition is broad so that it can include new and novel technologies developed in the future that may be capable of collecting MGR from areas beyond national jurisdiction.
A vessel, machine, structure or other item has a qualifying UK connection if it is:
- owned or operated by a United Kingdom person, or
- used after deployment from the United Kingdom or from a UK craft
A vessel, machine, structure or other item does not have a qualifying UK connection if it is deployed from a ship registered in another country, even if it is owned or operated by a United Kingdom person.
A United Kingdom person is:
- a British citizen
- someone habitually resident in the UK
- a company or entity incorporated under the law of any part of the UK
Examples
- if an AUV is deployed from a UK-registered ship, the provisions of the Act apply even if the AUV is owned by an institution in another country
- the provisions of the Act also apply to an AUV owned by an institution in another country if it is deployed from the UK
- the provisions of the Act apply to an AUV owned or operated by a United Kingdom person if it is deployed from another country
- the provisions of the Act do not apply to an AUV owned or operated by a United Kingdom person if it is deployed from a ship registered in another country regardless of whether it is recovered to that ship
- if the collection project uses a UK craft, the provisions of the Act apply regardless of the source of funding for the collection project. For example, if a collection project is funded as part of a larger international project, the provisions of the Act apply if the collection project takes place from, or uses, a UK craft
Check who must provide the information
The pre- and post-collection information required under the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026 must be provided by the relevant person for the collection project.
The Act defines the relevant person as the individual with principal responsibility for the scientific or technical aspects of the project, as far as it concerns MGR.
For collection projects undertaken using UK government research ships registered in the UK or other UK craft owned by the UK government, the relevant person will be the Chief Scientist with overall responsibility for the research cruise or project.
For collection projects undertaken using non-UK government-owned UK craft, the organisers of those projects must identify a relevant person. Only one relevant person should be identified regardless of the number of scientific teams involved in the collection project.
The relevant person:
- should be the person responsible for the scientific and technical aspects of the project
- should not be the person responsible for the safe operation of the craft, such as the Master of a ship
Pre-collection and post-collection information should be submitted once per collection project, regardless of the number of scientific teams involved in the project.
The use of equipment, including an AUV, that is deployed and recovered to a ship during a research cruise counts as part of the same collection project, and so no separate pre-collection and post-collection information is required.
Where equipment that will collect MGR is deployed from a UK ship but not recovered to that ship, that counts as a separate collection project. Pre-collection information should be submitted to the UK BBNJ Focal Point for that separate collection project. Post-collection information should be submitted to the UK BBNJ Focal Point for that separate project even if the equipment is recovered by a ship registered in another country.
Provide pre-collection information
The relevant person must complete the pre-collection information form.
The form requires information about:
- the nature and objectives under which the collection is carried out, including, as appropriate, any programme it forms part of
- the subject matter of the research or, if known, the MGR to be targeted or collected and the purposes for which the MGR will be collected
- the geographical areas where collection will take place
- a summary of the method and means to be used for collection, including the name, tonnage, type and class of ships, scientific equipment and/or study methods employed
- contributions to proposed major programmes
- the expected date of first appearance and final departure of the research vessels, or deployment of the equipment and its removal, as appropriate
- the name or names of the sponsoring institution or institutions and the person in charge of the project
- opportunities for scientists from all states, particularly developing states, to be involved in or associated with the project
- the extent to which it is considered that states that may need and request technical assistance, particularly developing states, should be able to participate or be represented in the project
- a data management plan prepared according to open and responsible data governance, taking account of current international practice
BBNJ: Complete a pre-collection information form
Provide geographical information
You should provide as much detail as possible about where collection will take place.
It may not be possible to give precise geographical coordinates in the pre-collection information form, but a chart of the general area should be provided.
If it is possible to provide geographical coordinates, these should be provided by way of geographical coordinates in WGS84 and a chart.
If sampling stations have been identified, details of those sampling stations should be provided.
Where collection will use a craft that moves without human control and will not be recovered to a ship, you should provide:
- the location where the craft is expected to be deployed
- the anticipated location of recovery, if known
Provide information about programmes
The collection project may be part of a larger research project, or it may relate to other scientific endeavours.
Provide information about dates
Where equipment is deployed from and recovered to a ship during a research cruise, the expected dates of appearance, meaning when the ship will reach the area where collection will take place, and departure of the ship will be sufficient.
You should provide details about the date of deployment and removal of equipment where equipment is:
- deployed from shore
- deployed from a ship and not recovered during the research cruise
Person in charge of the project
The person in charge of the project is the same person as the relevant person.
Consider opportunities for participation
Capacity-building and technology transfer are important parts of the BBNJ Agreement.
Where possible, consideration should be given to providing a berth for a scientist from a developing state on a research cruise.
This will not always be possible, but it should be considered from the outset when planning a research cruise.
Beyond opportunities to participate in a research cruise, consideration should also be given to involving scientists from developing states in research projects that involve the collection of MGR from areas beyond national jurisdiction.
Provide a data management plan
A data management plan is a document that provides details on where MGR will be stored during and after the research.
It should include details of:
- where MGR will be stored
- storage and access rules
- where MGR will be deposited, if known
- where digital sequence information (DSI) will be recorded, if it is generated
At the pre-collection stage, it may not be clear whether the MGR collected will form part of a utilisation project.
Under the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026, only MGR that are the subject of a utilisation project must be deposited in a publicly accessible repository.
If it is known that the MGR will be deposited in a publicly accessible repository, the data management plan should include:
- details of the repository’s collection management policy
- information on how the collection can be accessed
This information can be provided by providing links to the relevant part of the repository’s website.
If it is not clear whether MGR will form part of a utilisation project, the data management plan should include:
- details of where the MGR will be held
- the institution’s policies for accessing samples
There is no requirement under the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026 that all samples collected must be returned to shore.
If it is known that DSI will or may be generated on any MGR collected, the data management plan should include similar details for the database where that DSI will be recorded.
The relevant person can upload a document containing the full data management plan when submitting the pre-collection information.
Submit pre-collection information
The pre-collection information form should be provided to the UK BBNJ Focal Point.
The pre-collection information form should be sent as soon as possible and at least 7 months before the collection of the MGR.
For example, if collection is due to start on 1 August 2027, the pre-collection information form should be sent by 31 December 2026.
If there is a material change to the information provided in the pre-collection information form, updated information must be sent to the UK BBNJ Focal Point as soon as possible and at least 15 days before collection begins.
Examples of a material change include:
- a change in the ship being used
- a change in the equipment being deployed
- a change in the geographical location of the collection project
BBNJ: Complete a pre-collection information form
What if the information requested is protected from disclosure?
The UK BBNJ Focal Point will not send information to the BBNJ Clearing-House Mechanism if that information is:
- protected from disclosure under the National Security Act 2023
- protected from disclosure under UK law, in the opinion of the Secretary of State
If a relevant person believes information required on a pre-collection information form may be protected from disclosure, they should contact the UK BBNJ Focal Point as early as possible.
Further information:
Understand onward disclosure to the BBNJ Clearing-House Mechanism
Ask for a shorter timeline
The UK BBNJ Focal Point has discretion to provide a shorter timeline for the pre-collection information form.
This can happen if the FCDO considers that there is a compelling reason why a collection project should take place despite there being less than 7 months before collection is due to start.
An example of a compelling reason could be the need for research on MGR following a natural or manmade disaster, such as an oil spill.
A lack of knowledge of the obligations under the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026, or the relevant timeline, would not be a compelling reason.
Transitional timelines
The provisions of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026 relating to pre-collection information came into force on 9 August 2026
The timeline for providing the pre-collection information form has been modified for the period beginning with 9 August 2026 and ending with 8 May 2027.
For any collection project where collection of MGR is due to start between 9 August 2026 and 8 November 2026, there is no minimum date by which the pre-collection information form should be sent to the UK BBNJ Focal Point, but it must be sent before the collection takes place.
For any collection project where collection of MGR is due to start between 9 November 2026 and 8 December 2026, the pre-collection information form should be sent to the UK BBNJ Focal Point at least 1 month before collection.
For any collection project where collection of MGR is due to start between 9 December 2026 and 8 January 2027, the pre-collection information form should be sent to the UK BBNJ Focal Point at least 2 months before collection.
For any collection project where collection of MGR is due to start between 9 January 2027 and 8 February 2027, the pre-collection information form should be sent to the UK BBNJ Focal Point at least 3 months before collection.
For any collection project where collection of MGR is due to start between 9 February 2027 and 8 March 2027, the pre-collection information form should be sent to the UK BBNJ Focal Point at least 4 months before collection.
For any collection project where collection of MGR is due to start between 9 March 2027 and 8 April 2027, the pre-collection information form should be sent to the UK BBNJ Focal Point at least 5 months before collection.
For any collection project where collection of MGR is due to start between 9 April 2027 and 8 May 2027, the pre-collection information form should be sent to the UK BBNJ Focal Point at least 6 months before collection.
If you have already planned a collection project that is due to start between 9 August 2026 and 8 November 2026, contact the UK BBNJ Focal Point as soon as possible.
After you submit pre-collection information
Once the UK BBNJ Focal Point has received the form, they will check it to ensure it contains all the required information.
They will contact the relevant person if:
- there are queries about the information provided
- any required information appears to be missing
The form will then be sent to the BBNJ Clearing-House Mechanism 6 months before the start of collection.
The BBNJ Clearing-House Mechanism will provide the UK BBNJ Focal Point with the BBNJ standardised batch identifier that will apply to the collection project.
The BBNJ standardised batch identifier will be sent to the relevant person for the collection project.
The BBNJ standardised batch identifier should be provided to everyone involved in the collection of MGR as part of the collection project.
The BBNJ standardised batch identifier will need to be associated with all samples of MGR or DSI on such MGR collected as part of the collection project.
At the time of publication, the format of the BBNJ standardised batch identifier has not yet been determined by the State Parties to the BBNJ Agreement.
Provide post-collection information
The relevant person for the collection project must also complete the post-collection information form.
The form requires information about:
- the BBNJ standardised batch identifier
- the database where DSI on MGR is or will be recorded
- where all MGR collected are or will be held or deposited
- the geographical area from which MGR were collected and, to the extent possible, the findings from the activity
- updates to the data management plan
BBNJ: Complete a post-collection information form
Provide information about digital sequence information
There is no requirement to generate DSI on any MGR that have been collected.
If DSI has been or will be generated, the relevant person must provide information on the database where it will be recorded.
If the activity that led to the generation of DSI on MGR counts as utilisation of MGR, then the DSI will need to be recorded on a publicly accessible database.
Further guidance:
Understand whether your activity counts as utilisation.
The database does not have to be in the United Kingdom.
Provide information about where marine genetic resources are held
There is no requirement for MGR that have been collected to be held or deposited in the United Kingdom.
MGR may be collected by a scientist based at an institution in another country who is participating in a collection project on board a UK government research vessel. In that case, the samples may be transported to that institution.
Under the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026, only MGR that are the subject of a utilisation project must be deposited in a publicly accessible repository.
Details should be provided of where the MGR will be held if it is not known that they will be utilised and deposited in a publicly accessible repository.
There is no requirement under the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026 that all samples collected must be returned to shore.
Provide geographical information after collection
The post-collection information should include a report detailing the geographical area from which MGR were collected.
This should include information on:
- latitude
- longitude
- depth of collection
- findings from the activity undertaken, to the extent available
The final geographic information may vary from the information provided at the pre-collection stage if the geographical areas of collection had to be changed at the last moment, for example because of weather conditions.
The requirement to include findings from the activity should not be taken as a requirement to publish research findings before they are ready to be shared.
Where research has been conducted on MGR during a research cruise and there are findings that can be shared, this may amount to utilisation.
Understand whether your activity counts as utilisation.
Update the data management plan
The post-collection information should include any necessary updates to the data management plan provided in the pre-collection information form.
Submit post-collection information
As with the pre-collection information, the post-collection information should be provided by the relevant person and sent to the UK BBNJ Focal Point.
The post-collection information should be sent to the UK BBNJ Focal Point as soon as it is all available.
It must be sent before the end of 11 months after the last day on which MGR were collected.
For example, if the last day on which MGR were collected is 1 January 2027, the post-collection information should be sent by 1 December 2027.
This is regardless of the date on which the ship returns to port or any equipment is recovered.
BBNJ: Complete a post-collection information form
What if the information requested is protected from disclosure?
The UK BBNJ Focal Point will not send information to the BBNJ Clearing-House Mechanism if that information is:
- protected from disclosure under the National Security Act 2023
- protected from disclosure under UK law, in the opinion of the Secretary of State
If a relevant person believes information required on a post-collection information form may be protected from disclosure, they should contact the UK BBNJ Focal Point as early as possible.
Further information:
Understand onward disclosure to the BBNJ Clearing-House Mechanism
After you submit post-collection information
Once the UK BBNJ Focal Point has received the form, they will check it to ensure it contains all the required information.
They will contact the relevant person if:
- there are queries about the information provided
- any required information appears to be missing
The form will be sent to the BBNJ Clearing-House Mechanism no later than one year from the collection of MGR.
Contact the UK BBNJ Focal Point
Contact the UK BBNJ Focal Point (bbnjfocalpoint@fcdo.gov.uk) if you:
- are unsure whether the collection requirements apply to your activity
- need advice about submitting information
- need guidance on the timelines that apply to your project