This horizon scan reviews the historic trends, current status and future projections of three key pressures on biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The three pressures are:

• Physical loss and damage to the seabed;
• Removal of biological resources; and
• Ocean acidification. 

With respect to the proposed Implementing Agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, it is clear that an Implementing Agreement that reflects the current use level of the areas beyond national jurisdiction would not accommodate the anticipated long-term change in use and pressure patterns. This horizon scan helps to identify those future changes that need to be accommodated in the Implementing Agreement.