Notification 2005-131

Dear Madam/Sir, The purpose of this notification is to invite Parties and other Governments to provide to the Executive Secretary further comments on the assessment of status and trends of, and threats to, deep seabed genetic resources beyond national jurisdiction as contained in section III of document UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/11/11, as soon as possible but no later than 15 January 2006. This request is in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3 of recommendation XI/8 of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA). Based on the comments received from Parties, as well as the deliberations of the eleventh meeting of SBSTTA, the Executive Secretary will make available an updated version of the scientific information in section III of document UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/11/11 to the Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues related to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction established by the General Assembly through its resolution 59/24. I thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter and your continued support to the work of the Convention.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD & SBSTTA National Focal Points