Governing Marine Genetic Resources in the Digital Era: Bridging Policy, Science, and Industry Perspectives

Marine genetic resources (MGR) hold enormous promise for scientific innovation and commercial development, but their governance remains marked by significant uncertainty, especially during the operationalization of the Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement. In response to these gaps, this study aims to gain a deeper understanding of the evolving MGR landscape. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 23 international experts, the findings reveal that challenges are not confined to areas beyond national jurisdiction but relate to issues such as regime interaction, intellectual property rights, global capacity imbalances, data governance, and resource and infrastructure constraints. Building on these insights, the study advances practical recommendations to support more effective governance systems under the BBNJ Agreement framework, helping to balance innovation with fairness in the use of marine genetic resources. The article underlines that capacity-building, training, and education should be central to all recommendations, as they provide the foundation for effective implementation across all aspects of governance, from data management and scientific engagement to fair benefit-sharing and regulatory compliance.