The Sargasso Sea Commission has been called 'a new paradigm' for the stewardship of the high seas. It is an innovative structure that brings together governmental signatories of the Hamilton Declaration ('Signatories') and independent scientific experts ('Commissioners') to collaborate on the conservation of the Sargasso Sea. The work programme of the Commission is developed during bimonthly meetings of the Signatories and Commissioners separately, as well as joint meetings. The work of the Commission is supported by a small Secretariat. 

 The Hamilton Declaration

The Hamilton Meeting in March, 2014

On March 11, 2014, governments came together in Bermuda to sign the Hamilton Declaration on Collaboration for the Conservation of the Sargasso Sea (Hamilton Declaration). The Hamilton Declaration is the result of a two-year negotiation between interested governments that are either located in the broader Sargasso Sea area or have an interest in high seas conservation. The Hamilton Declaration was initially signed by the governments of the Azores, Bermuda, Monaco, UK and US, who were later joined by the British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, Canada, the Cayman Islands, and most recently the Dominican Republic. Other interested governments are anticipated to sign the Declaration over time.

The text of the Hamilton Declaration is also available in both Spanish and Portuguese.

Signing of the Hamilton Declaration, March 11, 2014

The Hamilton Declaration is a non-binding political statement. The Signatories agree to hold a regular Meeting of Signatories and endorse the establishment of a Sargasso Sea Commission to encourage and facilitate voluntary collaboration toward the conservation of the Sargasso Sea.

The Sargasso Sea Commission was established pursuant to the Hamilton Declaration. The Commission will “encourage and facilitate voluntary collaboration toward the conservation of the Sargasso Sea.”  While the Commission has no management authority, it will “exercise a stewardship role for the Sargasso Sea and keep its health, productivity and resilience under continual review.”  A more specific initial mandate is listed in Annex II of the Declaration.  

The Sargasso Sea Commission has no management authority (see Annex II).  It will exercise a stewardship role for the Sargasso Sea and keep its health, productivity and resilience under continual review. Management authority over the EEZ around Bermuda remains exclusively under the control of Bermuda, while management of activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction remains with the existing international and regional sectoral organizations such as the International Maritime Organization for shipping activities, and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas and the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization for fishing activities.  

The description of the "Area of Collaboration"  in the Hamilton Declaration in Annex I is a description of the Sargasso Sea ecosystem, excluding the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Territorial Sea around Bermuda. It should be clear that the management of activities and resources in the EEZ and Territorial Sea around Bermuda will not be affected in any way by the Declaration. 

The Sargasso Sea Commission is envisaged to meet virtually, and with the support of a small Secretariat staff, to enable the group to function in the most cost-effective way.