Two new commissioners have been appointed to the Sargasso Sea Commission.

Stephen de Mora and Mark Spalding join the international six-strong commission to exercise a stewardship role for the Sargasso Sea that is without effective legal protection under international law.

The Sargasso Sea Commission, created by the Hamilton Declaration on Collaboration for the Conservation of the Sargasso Sea, was signed in Bermuda in March last year, and is backed by governments of Bermuda, the United States, Britain, Monaco and the Azores.

Under the terms of the declaration, the Commission does not have any management authority but recommends proposed measures for governments to submit or support.

According to a press release from the Bermuda Government today, new commissioners were sought ahead of the expiring of the term of the South African commissioner Dire Tladi.

Environment minister Jeanne Atherden said in a statement: “The Government of Bermuda approved the candidates that were nominated by the signatories to the Hamilton Declaration. The quality of candidates was of such a high calibre, that it was agreed to appoint two commissioners.

“The Hamilton Declaration requires they be distinguished scientists and other persons of international repute committed to the conservation of high seas ecosystems that would serve in their personal capacity.”

The new commissioners will serve alongside Billy Causey (US), Howard Roe (Britain), Ricardo Serrão Santos (the Azores), and Tammy Trott (Bermuda).

Mr de Mora is chief executive of the Plymouth Marine Laboratory (MPL) and PML Applications Limited, as well as an honorary visiting professor in biosciences at the University of Exeter. He holds British and Canadian nationality.

Mr Spalding, a US national, is president of the Ocean Foundation, and an authority on international environmental policy and law.

David Freestone, executive secretary of the Sargasso Sea Commission, said: “I am very pleased that we have appointed two new distinguished commissioners who will add great value to the work of the Commission.”