Marine genetic resources are considered a valuable source of innovative ingredients for a range of industries, such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Applications for patents usually include the DNA sequences of marine organisms, and scientists are conducting research into thousands of new active chemical substances inspired by biological molecules found in the ocean. 

Although the regulation for access to these genetic resources has been established within exclusive national economic areas, most of the ocean's surface lies outside national jurisdiction. Arrieta will explain why fair and equal access to these shared resources is necessary.