Unpacking policy developments in marine natural product research: a scientist's guide to DSI and BBNJ

Abstract

Covering: 2014 up to February 2025

Since the Nagoya Protocol came into force in 2014, scientists working with genetic resources have integrated compliance with Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) legislation at international and national levels into their research practices. However, two key gaps left by the Nagoya Protocol are being addressed, introducing new obligations for marine natural product scientists: under the auspices of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), a compromise agreement was reached in November 2024 that regulates the use of Digital Sequence Information (DSI) on Genetic Resources. Within the next few years, the 2023 Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement is expected to take effect. This treaty covers the access to and use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction for research and development. In a time when genetic research and marine biodiversity are key to scientific advancement, these evolving policies affect how genetic information is stored, shared, and used, raising emerging questions for the scientific community about their direct impact and the complexities of compliance. Despite continuous developments and scientific community involvement, there remains a notable gap in communication between policy changes and their accessible dissemination to researchers. Addressing this gap is crucial for the continuation of research and the effective use of relevant resources. The main goal of this viewpoint article is to provide a concise guide to recent policy developments relevant to natural product researchers that should be incorporated and harmonized into ongoing scientific activities.