Where the law stands, Dossier 2025/0090(COD)
Conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction
Ordinary legislative procedure (COD): Parliament and the Council decide together as equals. · First reading
A proposed EU law. Parliament and the Council must agree on the same text: Parliament adopts its position, then negotiates with the Council.
Where it stands
Negotiations with the Council
Parliament adopted its position on 13 November 2025. Negotiations with the Council on a common text are under way.
- Referred to committee(done) 7 July 2025
- Committee work(done) Report adopted 20 October 2025
- Tabled for plenary(done) 22 October 2025
- Plenary vote(done) Adopted 13 November 2025
- Negotiations with the Council Talks opened 13 November 2025
- Published as law(to come)
Decided in plenary
13 November 2025 · decision 2
Climate & environment, New EU law
Conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction
Passed 454 for · 172 against · 19 abstained by a large majority
AI summary:The law would implement an international agreement protecting high seas ecosystems, which cover nearly two thirds of the world's oceans.
What changed
Latest Tabled for plenary → Adopted by Parliament
AI summary:Adds a recital on the Ocean Pact and adjusts the contribution amount to EUR 40 million. Adds a recital enabling member states to submit emergency measure proposals directly to the Secretariat. The other change is formal: removing the consultation of the Committee of the Regions.
Committee draft → Tabled for plenary
AI summary:The directive now covers activities in national jurisdiction affecting high seas, with assessments required before authorisation. Adds provisions on access to justice, including standing for NGOs and review procedures. Introduces new procedures for submitting proposals for area-based management tools and emergency measures, including direct submission. Adds measures to encourage third countries and requires biannual reports to Parliament. Other changes are formal or wording: updated recitals, definitions, and minor rephrasing.
Who works on it
- Lead committee
- Environment, Climate and Food Safety
- The MEP who drafts the report and negotiates it on behalf of the committee.
- Michal Wiezik (Renew)
- An MEP who follows a report on behalf of their own group when another group holds the rapporteur.
- Jessica Polfjärd (EPP), Thomas Bajada (S&D), Anne-Sophie Frigout (Patriots), Nora Junco García (ECR), Rasmus Nordqvist (Greens), Li Andersson (The Left), Marc Jongen (ESN)
- Committees giving an opinion
- Fisheries· rapporteurEmma Fourreau (The Left)
The text, version by version
Newest first.
Adopted by Parliament· 13 Nov 2025
AI summary:Parliament's amended version of the proposed directive on conserving and sustainably using marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction sets rules on marine genetic resources, environmental assessments, area-based management tools and emergency measures.
Tabled for plenary· 22 Oct 2025
AI summary:Parliament's amended version of the proposed directive on conserving marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction sets rules for marine genetic resources, environmental assessments, area-based management tools, and emergency measures.
Committee draft· 15 Jul 2025
AI summary:This draft report proposes amendments to the proposed Directive on conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, aligning it closely with the BBNJ Agreement.
Committee opinions: Draft opinion (PECH), Opinion (PECH)
Timeline
Newest first.
Negotiations with the Council 1 step
13 November 2025
Parliament opened negotiations with the Council
After its vote Parliament sent the file back to committee, so that its negotiators can seek a compromise text with the Council (in “trilogues”).
Plenary stage 4 steps
13 November 2025
Plenary vote
Sitting of 13 Nov 2025 Adopted text TA10-0263/2025Report A10-0205/2025
12 November 2025
Debated in plenary
MEPs debated the text in the chamber ahead of the vote.
Sitting of 12 Nov 2025 Council / Commission text C10-0074/2025Report A10-0205/2025
12 November 2025
60 amendments tabled for the plenary vote
Groups propose changes to the tabled text; each is voted on before the final vote.
22 October 2025
Report tabled for plenary
This is the text all MEPs vote on. Political groups can still table amendments to it.
Committee stage 6 steps
20 October 2025
Committee vote: report adopted
ENVI (Environment, Climate and Food Safety) voted on the amendments and adopted the report that goes to plenary.
16 October 2025
PECH (Fisheries) adopted its opinion
The opinion is attached to the report for the lead committee to consider.
9 September 2025
Amendments tabled in committee
Members of ENVI (Environment, Climate and Food Safety) proposed changes to the draft.
4 August 2025
Draft opinion from PECH (Fisheries)
An associated committee gives its view to the lead committee.
15 July 2025
Draft report published
The rapporteur’s first text in ENVI (Environment, Climate and Food Safety). Members can table amendments before the committee votes.
7 July 2025
Referred to the ENVI (Environment, Climate and Food Safety) committee
The lead committee prepares the report; PECH (Fisheries) gives an opinion.
Official record: Legislative Observatory, 2025/0090(COD)