Considering that many aspects of seas beyond national jurisdiction remain poorly studied, this is consistent with the definition of the precautionary approach provided in the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, which specifically calls for wide application of this approach to conservation, management and exploitation of living aquatic resources in order to protect them and preserve the marine environment (para. 6.5), and provides that &quot; the absence of adequate scientific information should not be used as a reason for postponing or failing to take measures to conserve target species, associated or dependent species and non-target species and their environment. &quot;
Considering that many aspects of seas beyond national jurisdiction remain poorly studied, this is consistent with the definition of the precautionary approach provided in the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, which specifically calls for wide application of this approach to conservation, management and exploitation of living aquatic resources in order to protect them and preserve the marine environment (para. 6.5), and provides that &quot; the absence of adequate scientific information should not be used as a reason for postponing or failing to take measures to conserve target species, associated or dependent species and non-target species and their environment. &quot;