Representatives of Bermuda and the UK will be in New York today, as part of the process to engage states on the protection of the Sargasso Sea under the High Seas Treaty.

The parties will host a side event at the Preparatory Commission for the Biological Diversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, which came into force in January.

The move follows a civil society engagement and formal consultation on the draft text for the Hamilton II Declaration, which took place on Friday at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences.

The declaration — which builds on the first Hamilton Declaration that created the Sargasso Sea Commission — aims to seek political support to protect the Sargasso Sea under the High Seas Treaty.

Government House said that 24 organisations were represented at the BIOS meeting, when talks covered the process and draft text, and views on ocean protection were exchanged.

When states first meet at a Conference of Parties before January 17, 2027, consideration will be made to identify areas of the high seas which should be prioritised for protection.

The governments of Bermuda and the UK consider that the Sargasso Sea should be protected and Government House said the Hamilton II Declaration is intended to galvanise international support for that to materialise.

Jaché Adams, the Minister of Public Works and Environment, said: “Protecting the Sargasso Sea has long been a priority for Bermuda.

“The Hamilton II Declaration is the next step in bringing countries together to take real action.

“With the support of our community and international partners, we now have an opportunity to turn that goal into lasting protection.”

Andrew Murdoch, the Governor, welcomed UK ocean policy leads from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to the island to take part in engagements with their colleagues in the Bermuda Government.

He added: “The draft declaration was compiled by a small group of experts.

“It is not a final text and will be subject to a thorough process of consultation to ensure the final text achieves its aim with maximum support, particularly among those states that will decide on a proposal under the BBNJ treaty.

“As part of that consultation process, it is important that members of civil society in Bermuda — including our scientists, charities and fishermen — have a voice in that process.

“The Sargasso Sea is a globally important area, and it is great to see Bermuda, as the only land territory in the Sargasso Sea, playing a leading role in seeking its protection.”

David Freestone, the executive secretary of the SSC secretariat, supported the joint initiative.

He said: “We have just completed a comprehensive scientific analysis that we can now use to highlight key threats and identify appropriate conservation proposals.

“We look forward to hearing the feedback of Bermudians and Bermuda residents.”

Craig Carlson, the BIOS president and professor of marine microbiology at the Arizona State University’s school of ocean futures, said: “The Sargasso Sea provides an extraordinary natural laboratory for understanding ocean ecosystems and long-term environmental change.

“Initiatives like the Hamilton II Declaration highlight how scientific research can guide international collaboration to protect critical ocean regions beyond national jurisdiction.

“I was delighted to attend this discussion, and it was our pleasure to host this meeting on campus.”