The Sargasso Sea Commission has released its groundbreaking 'Socio-Ecosystem Diagnostic Analysis' (SEDA), the first of its kind for this iconic high seas ecosystem.

Edited by Dr David Vousden, the SEDA is a culmination of more than four years of work with contributions from over 25 experts.

It was produced with the support of the UNDP-GEF Sargasso Sea Stewardship Project, a part of the FAO-led Common Oceans Program, and the French Facility for Global Environment's five-year 'SARGADOM' project.

The SEDA will form the basis for negotiation of a Strategic Action Programme for the ongoing conservation and stewardship of the Sargasso Sea, which will be agreed by Sargasso Sea stakeholders including Sargasso Sea Commissioners and representatives of the signatory governments of the Hamilton Declaration.

The finalisation of the SEDA comes as the Governments of Bermuda and the UK are launching a new initiative, in the wake of the coming into force of the BBNJ Agreement, to widen participation of States and civil society in efforts to strengthen the stewardship of the Sargasso Sea – Hamilton II. This non-binding declaration would provide a mechanism for Governments and civil society organisations to signal political support for the development of a collective ABMT proposal under the BBNJ Agreement for the Sargasso Sea.