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‘Track and trace’ showing tracing throughout the chain of custody versus tracing origin from the end product/user (simplified example). Adapted from Humphries et al. (2020). The images are from the Noun Project.
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Negotiations are underway for a new treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Points of contention in the negotiation concern marine genetic resources and questions of monetary and/or non-monetary benefit sharing arising from their...
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... LLMs are trained on general corpora, such as Common Crawl (Common Crawl, 2023) and Wikipedia (Wikipedia, 2023). BBNJ-related knowledge is complex and multidisciplinary, involving legal, scientific, and international relations considerations (Humphries et al., 2021). These specialized areas differ significantly from the pre-trained data of LLMs. ...
... During the text preprocessing, we performed reference completion as the BBNJ-related documents have many reference expressions. Then, during the data generation, since the BBNJrelated documents are multidisciplinary, involving legal, scientific, and international relations considerations (Humphries et al., 2021), single data generation will result in a significant amount of noisy data. To solve this problem, a two-stage data generation method was applied. ...
The marine biodiversity in Areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), encompassing approximately two-thirds of the global ocean, is persistently declining. In 2023, the agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) was officially adopted. Implementing the BBNJ Agreement has the potential to effectively meet global needs for preserving marine biodiversity. Nevertheless, the implementation requires dealing with thousands of legal clauses, and the parties participating in the process lack adequate means to acquire knowledge connected to BBNJ. This paper introduces ChatBBNJ, a highly efficient question-answering system that combines a novel data engineering technique with large language models (LLMs) of Natural Language Processing (NLP). The system aims to efficiently provide stakeholders with BBNJ-related knowledge, thereby facilitating and enhancing their comprehension and involvement with the subject matter. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed ChatBBNJ exhibits superior expertise in the BBNJ domain, outperforming baseline models in terms of precision, recall, and F1-scores. The successful deployment of the suggested system is expected to greatly assist stakeholders in acquiring BBNJ knowledge and facilitating the effective implementation of the BBNJ Agreement. Therefore, this is expected to contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in ABNJ.
... Traceability systems help identify the origin of products, track their movement through each stage of the supply chain, and ensure compliance with sustainability standards. Several frameworks and approaches have been developed to facilitate traceability and promote sustainable practices [20][21][22]. These include certifications, labelling schemes, and supply chain mapping techniques, which enable stakeholders to trace the journey of products and verify their sustainability credentials [8]. ...
This study addresses the challenge of counterfeit goods in sustainable supply chains and its impact on achieving the This study addresses the challenge of counterfeit goods in sustainable supply chains and its impact on achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal of "ensuring sustainable consumption and production." By utilizing a combined UN Sustainable Development Goal of "ensuring sustainable consumption and production." By utilizing a combined methodology of qualitative data from in-depth interviews with industry experts, supply chain professionals, and methodology of qualitative data from in-depth interviews with industry experts, supply chain professionals, and technology specialists, along with quantitative data from literature and case studies, the research explores the technology specialists, along with quantitative data from literature and case studies, the research explores the applicability of blockchain technology in countering counterfeiting within supply chains. An implementation applicability of blockchain technology in countering counterfeiting within supply chains. An implementation framework is developed, considering industry-specific barriers and mitigation measures. It investigates enablers, framework is developed, considering industry-specific barriers and mitigation measures. It investigates enablers, barriers, implementation strategies, and monitoring plans, focusing on stakeholder incentives. Additionally, a barriers, implementation strategies, and monitoring plans, focusing on stakeholder incentives. Additionally, a framework for blockchain-based traceability is presented, promoting visibility, authentication, and accountability to framework for blockchain-based traceability is presented, promoting visibility, authentication, and accountability to combat counterfeit goods in sustainable supply chains. The study provides valuable insights for securing supply combat counterfeit goods in sustainable supply chains. The study provides valuable insights for securing supply chains, protecting consumers, and advancing industry sustainability within the manufacturing context. The chains, protecting consumers, and advancing industry sustainability within the manufacturing context. The recommended framework leverages blockchain's potential to revolutionize supply chain integrity and address the issue recommended framework leverages blockchain's potential to revolutionize supply chain integrity and address the issue
of counterfeit products effectively. of counterfeit products effectively.
... resources used in products. The access to natural resources is regulated by the Convention on Biological Diversity under the Nagoya protocol depending on countries' decisions [26,27]. ...
... Abyssine TM PF produced by the deep-sea hydrothermal vent bacterium A. macleodii subsp. fijiensis biovar deepsane (HYD657 CNCM I-1285) was firstly developed by Lanatech and is now commercialized by Lucas-Meyer [27]. Abyssine TM PF is an anionic heteropolysaccharide of high-molecular weight (1 × 10 6 g/mol) composed of neutral sugars (galactose, glucose, mannose, fucose), uronic acids (glucuronic acid, galacturonic acid), and substituted with three anionic groups (sulfate, lactate, pyruvate). ...
Bacteria are well-known to synthesize high molecular weight polysaccharides excreted in extracellular domain, which constitute their protective microenvironment. Several bacterial exopolysaccharides (EPS) are commercially available for skincare applications in cosmetic products due to their unique structural features, conferring valuable biological and/or textural properties. This review aims to give an overview of bacterial EPS, an important group of macromolecules used in cosmetics as actives and functional ingredients. For this purpose, the main chemical characteristics of EPS are firstly described, followed by the basics of the development of cosmetic ingredients. Then, a focus on EPS production, including upstream and downstream processes, is provided. The diversity of EPS used in the cosmetic industry, and more specifically of marine-derived EPS is highlighted. Marine bacteria isolated from extreme environments are known to produce EPS. However, their production processes are highly challenging due to high or low temperatures; yield must be improved to reach economically viable ingredients. The biological properties of marine-derived EPS are then reviewed, resulting in the highlight of the challenges in this field.
... occurrenceID) may be used by some institutes as catalogNumber. However, many collection institutes have a different code (sometimes human readable), and these are used as an internal institutional identifier including physical specimen labels (Rabone et al.,Accepted;45). In the ISA DwC mapping guidance, SampleID has been mapped to occurrenceID, and VoucherCode has been mapped to catalogNumber (File S5A, B), but this is a misinterpretation of the terms, rather the specimen identifier SampleID maps to catalogNumber, and the secondary specimen identifier VoucherCode could be mapped to either of the DwC terms otherCatalogNumber or recordNumber (Figure 4). ...
There is an urgent need for high-quality biodiversity data in the context of rapid environmental change. Nowhere is this need more urgent than in the deep ocean, with the possibility of seabed mining moving from exploration to exploitation, but where vast knowledge gaps persist. Regions of the seabed beyond national jurisdiction, managed by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), are undergoing intensive mining exploration, including the Clarion–Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the Central Pacific. In 2019, the ISA launched its database ‘DeepData’, publishing environmental (including biological) data. Here, we explore how DeepData could support biological research and environmental policy development in the CCZ (and wider ocean regions) and whether data are findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable (FAIR). Given the direct connection of DeepData with the regulator of a rapidly developing potential industry, this review is particularly timely. We found evidence of extensive duplication of datasets; an absence of unique record identifiers and significant taxonomic data–quality issues, compromising FAIRness of the data. The publication of DeepData records on the OBIS ISA node in 2021 has led to large-scale improvements in data quality and accessibility. However, limitations in the usage of identifiers and issues with taxonomic information were also evident in datasets published on the node, stemming from mismapping of data from the ISA environmental data template to the data standard Darwin Core prior to data harvesting by OBIS. While notable data-quality issues remain, these changes signal a rapid evolution for the database and significant movement towards integrating with global systems, through the usage of data standards and publication on the global data aggregator OBIS. This is exactly what has been needed for biological datasets held by the ISA. We provide recommendations for the future development of the database to support this evolution towards FAIR.
Database URL https://data.isa.org.jm/isa/map
... Many states are unenthusiastic about the degree of complication and intervention necessary to achieve preferred outcomes related to MGRs, especially compared to existing marine scientific research practices [11,18,31]. Third, the technical, practical, and definitional challenges associated with MGRs as an object and bioprospecting as an activity persist, and are connected both factually and conceptually to the first two areas of contention [19,18,10,22]. All of these patterns were evident at IGC-4, and much of the core debate was centralized on the definition of terms in Article 1. ...
After a two year delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the fourth intergovernmental conference (IGC-4) in the negotiations for a new UN treaty to address the conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) took place in March 2022. This meeting differed substantially from previous IGCs in terms of process, with much of the discussions occurring in ‘informal informals,’ or off-the-record meetings open only to delegates and registered observers. Additionally, in-person participation was extremely limited and observers only had access to web broadcasts, i.e., no in-person interactions with delegates. A draft text of the treaty was circulated in advance and provided the basis for discussion and negotiation at the meeting. This paper examines IGC-4 in line with previous analyses of the first three IGCs, tracing the process and outcomes to date, aiming to understand the factors and players that are building a new BBNJ agreement. Key themes explored include marine genetic resources (MGRs), area-based management tools, including marine protected areas (ABMTs/MPAs), environmental impact assessment (EIA), and capacity building and transfer of marine technology (CB/TMT). Some progress toward consensus has been made, buoyed by intersessional discussions, but several sticking points remain with regard to definitions, content, and processes enshrined in the draft treaty, and a fifth IGC is scheduled to take place from 15 to 26 August 2022.
... This may include obtaining or updating scientific identifiers (such as those from the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration) and administrative/legal identifiers (such as under a national traceability scheme or the ABS Clearing House Mechanism). 80 They may be required to provide regular reports to the authorising government about the use of the genetic resources and benefits shared. 81 Certain authorisation details might be published on the ABS Clearing House website as an Internationally Recognised Certificate of Compliance and may be subject to verification at various checkpoints along the research, development and commercialisation process (such as patent or export offices). ...
This chapter explores whether uses of biomolecular computing are likely to fall within the subject matter and scope of activities captured by the CBD’s and Nagoya Protocol’s ABS concept. Thought experiments considering a molecular tic-tac-toe automaton that uses a series of Boolean logic-gates to respond to the moves of its human opponent and a DNA hybridisation image search highlight some unique challenges and implications for users and providers of the genetic resources behind these new technologies if their activities fall within scope. The chapter concludes that DNA computers test the limits of the ABS concept and the extent to which biomolecular computers fit within the ABS concept.
... For the purposes of access and benefit sharing, it is important to be able to link sampled organisms to marine scientific or MGR research, to where they are ultimately archived. Tracking the collection of MGR from ABNJ to the eventual realization of commercial products and benefit sharing requires identification of samples including their origin (Humphries et al., 2021). The assignment of unique identifiers to samples and/or individual specimens is standard best practice for marine science. ...
Growing human activity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) is driving increasing impacts on the biodiversity of this vast area of the ocean. As a result, the United Nations General Assembly committed to convening a series of intergovernmental conferences (IGCs) to develop an international legally-binding instrument (ILBI) for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of ABNJ [the biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement] under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The BBNJ agreement includes consideration of marine genetic resources (MGR) in ABNJ, including how to share benefits and promote marine scientific research whilst building capacity of developing states in science and technology. Three IGCs have been completed to date with the fourth delayed by the Covid pandemic. This delay has allowed a series of informal dialogues to take place between state parties, which have highlighted a number of areas related to MGR and benefit sharing that require technical guidance from ocean experts. These include: guiding principles on the access and use of MGR from ABNJ; the sharing of knowledge arising from research on MGR in ABNJ; and capacity building and technology transfer for developing states. In this paper, we explain what MGR are, the methods required to collect, study and archive them, including data arising from scientific investigation. We also explore the practical requirements of access by developing countries to scientific cruises, including the sharing of data, as well as participation in research and development on shore whilst promoting rather than hindering marine scientific research. We outline existing infrastructure and shared resources that facilitate access, research, development, and benefit sharing of MGR from ABNJ; and discuss existing gaps. We examine international capacity development and technology transfer schemes that might facilitate or complement non-monetary benefit sharing activities. We end the paper by highlighting what the ILBI can achieve in terms of access, utilization, and benefit sharing of MGR and how we might future-proof the BBNJ Agreement with respect to developments in science and technology.
... For the purposes of access and benefit sharing, it is important to be able to link sampled organisms to marine scientific or MGR research, to where they are ultimately archived. Tracking the collection of MGR from ABNJ to the eventual realization of commercial products and benefit sharing requires identification of samples including their origin (Humphries et al., 2021). The assignment of unique identifiers to samples and/or individual specimens is standard best practice for marine science. ...
Marine genetic resources hold great value for biotechnological innovation and sustainability-oriented research. However, studies indicate that intellectual property rights pertaining to these resources are concentrated in a handful of companies and countries, triggering contentious international debates. This paper highlights an overlooked dimension: scientists and their affiliated countries as central actors in the provision of marine genetic research. We introduce a dataset of 23,417 marine genetic studies and trace patent references to these studies. Our analysis reveals that molecular biological research, oftentimes on bacterial species, attracts the most patenting interest. Some countries own relatively more patents than they provide in science, with the U.S. benefiting the most from available research. Science by G77 researchers has seen limited uptake in patents. These findings aim to inform international biodiversity regimes, such as the UN treaty on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), on how to more equitably distribute marine genetic resources’ economic, socio-cultural, and ecological benefits.
