Biodiversity

UK Defines Digital Sequence Information Under Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026

In May 2026 the UK made regulations under the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026 defining “digital sequence information” for marine genetic resources, with the rules applying from 10 July 2026. This clarifies which genetic sequence data will fall under the UK’s high-seas biodiversity regime, giving governments, researchers and companies clearer parameters for future benefit-sharing and compliance obligations.

18 May 2026, 13:27legislation.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

NMFS Issues Incidental Harassment Authorization for Homer Harbor System Four Float Replacement Project

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service has issued a one-year incidental harassment authorization to the City of Homer for its Homer Harbor System Four Float Replacement Project in Alaska, allowing strictly limited non-lethal takes of several marine mammal species under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and related statutes starting from May 2026. The project may proceed only if Homer adheres to NMFS’ detailed mitigation, protected-species monitoring, and reporting requirements, stays within species-specific take limits, and schedules construction around the authorization’s constrained effective period and oversight obligations.

16 May 2026, 14:56federalregister.govUnited States

California AB 2260 Would Extend Small Water Rights Registration to Restoration Uses

California Assembly bill AB 2260, last amended in March 2026 and advanced from committee on 14 May, would extend California’s streamlined small‑use water rights registration system to a new “small restoration use” category for habitat and instream flow projects. If enacted, restoration project proponents would gain a clearer, registration‑based pathway to secure and renew limited diversion rights for fish and wildlife enhancement, while needing to comply with five‑year renewal, reporting and any State Water Resources Control Board conditions on eligible methods and stream systems.

16 May 2026, 14:47leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

Norway Invites Stakeholder Input on Future Aquaculture Regulation

Norway’s fisheries ministry is expanding stakeholder engagement on future aquaculture regulation, adding a second meeting on 16 June 2026 and running a written consultation open until 1 September 2026. These discussions will shape how environmental limits, sea-lice controls and site structures are regulated, so aquaculture operators and their supply chains should factor potential outcomes into permitting, investment and risk planning.

15 May 2026, 17:47regjeringen.noNorway

Netherlands Advisory "Verkenning Natuurinclusief" Sets Strategy for Nature-Inclusive Working

The Dutch Parliament has published the advisory report Verkenning Natuurinclusief, outlining a cross-government strategy to embed nature-inclusive working and help the Netherlands meet EU biodiversity, climate and water restoration obligations. While non-binding, this framework is likely to shape the upcoming Dutch Nature Restoration Plan and future land-use, infrastructure and agricultural policies, signalling stronger integration of biodiversity and nature-based solutions into public investment, governance and regional planning.

15 May 2026, 17:47zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

UK Adopts Offshore Wind Habitats Compensatory Measures Regulations 2026

The UK has adopted regulations under the Energy Act 2023 that amend the Habitats Regulations to require “appropriate” compensatory measures and a formal compensation hierarchy when consenting offshore wind projects that adversely affect protected marine sites, effective from May 2026 across all UK waters. This strengthens environmental safeguards around offshore wind development and will shape future consenting strategies, mitigation design, and cost and risk profiles for offshore wind project developers and regulators.

15 May 2026, 16:20legislation.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

US District Court Declares 2022 ESA Biological Opinion for Malathion Unlawful

In May 2026 a US federal district court declared the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2022 nationwide ESA biological opinion for malathion registration unlawful, finding its jeopardy and critical-habitat analyses arbitrary and capricious. The ruling forces FWS and EPA back to the drawing board on ESA consultation for malathion, creating significant uncertainty over future label restrictions and permissible agricultural and mosquito-control uses.

15 May 2026, 15:46govinfo.govUnited States

UNECE Draft Decision Proposes 2027–2029 Workplan for Espoo Convention and SEA Protocol

UNECE’s Espoo Convention and SEA Protocol secretariat has published a draft decision and detailed workplan outlining priority activities and resource needs for transboundary environmental and strategic assessments across the UNECE region from 2027 to 2029. This programme signals continued focus on strengthening EIA/SEA practice on issues such as climate, biodiversity, water and chemical exposure, which may translate into new guidance, capacity-building and tighter scrutiny of large projects even though no immediate legal obligations for companies change at this stage.

EU REACH Committee Issues Positive Opinion on Lead Restrictions in Fishing Tackle

On 29 April 2026, the EU REACH committee endorsed a draft restriction on lead in fishing tackle that will amend Annex XVII to REACH once adopted. The proposal would phase out most lead sinkers, lures, fishing wires and drop-in sinkers for commercial fishing and impose strong labelling and point-of-sale warnings, giving manufacturers 6 months to 5 years after entry into force to switch to alternatives.

15 May 2026, 13:01ec.europa.euEuropean Union

US NMFS 12-Month ESA Finding: Listing Gulf of Alaska Chinook Salmon Not Warranted

In May 2026, US NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service issued its 12-month ESA finding that listing three Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon evolutionarily significant units as threatened or endangered is not warranted. This keeps ESA obligations for Gulf of Alaska operations unchanged for now, while signalling continued scrutiny of climate, habitat and fishery pressures on key salmon stocks when assessing future listing risk.

14 May 2026, 19:12public-inspection.federalregister.govUnited States

European Parliament Group Tables Baltic Sea Fisheries Amendments Addressing Chemical Contaminants And Nature Restoration Law

In May 2026, Members of the European Parliament from the ECR Group tabled amendments to the Baltic Sea multiannual fisheries plan report, calling for a cross-sector approach that explicitly addresses nutrient pollution, chemical contaminants and interactions with the Nature Restoration Law. Although non-binding, these amendments signal political pressure for closer alignment between fisheries management, marine pollution control and EU nature-restoration legislation in the Baltic Sea, which could foreshadow tighter expectations on pollution reduction and spatial planning for fisheries and offshore operators.

14 May 2026, 18:53europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

France Consults on Draft Order Defining Wetland Criteria for Overseas Departments and Regions (DROM)

France is consulting until 24 May 2026 on a draft order that defines harmonised soil and vegetation criteria for classifying wetlands in its overseas departments and regions under the Environmental Code. Once adopted, these criteria will standardise wetland delineation for permitting and land-use decisions in DROM, tightening constraints on development while improving legal certainty for water and biodiversity protection.

14 May 2026, 18:42consultations-publiques.developpement-durable.gouv.frFrance

Spain: Valencian Government Opens Prior Consultation On Draft Order To Protect Birds From High-Voltage Power Lines

The Valencian Government has opened a one-month prior public consultation on a draft order to designate priority bird-protection areas and impose mortality-reduction measures for high-voltage power lines in the region. Electricity transmission and distribution operators in the Valencian Community should anticipate future obligations to retrofit or design lines to reduce bird collision and electrocution risk and may wish to shape the scope and technical requirements by responding to this consultation.

14 May 2026, 18:32dogv.gva.esSpain

Belgian Council of State Confirms Walloon Communes Can Ban Artificial Feeding of Wild Game

In late April 2026, Belgium’s Council of State confirmed that Walloon municipalities have full legal authority to ban artificial feeding of wild game on their territory. This ruling empowers communes to impose local wildlife-feeding bans without waiting for regional action, reshaping hunting practices and biodiversity risk management in Wallonia.

14 May 2026, 12:30canopea.beBelgium

European Commission Launches Public Consultation on EU Nature Directives

In May 2026 the European Commission opened an EU-wide public consultation to stress test how the Birds and Habitats Directives are working, running until early August 2026. The findings could shape future simplification or adjustments to core EU nature-protection rules, with potential implications for permits, land management and biodiversity obligations across the bloc.

13 May 2026, 18:57ec.europa.euEuropean Union

South Korea National Assembly Passes Six Climate‑Energy‑Environment Bills on Drought, Wildlife and Circular Economy

On 7 May 2026, South Korea's National Assembly passed six major climate, energy and environment amendment bills strengthening state powers on water reuse, wildlife protection, resource circulation, vehicle emissions management and support for environmental industries. These coordinated changes will tighten obligations and incentives for utilities, local governments, electronics and automotive retailers, industrial operators and environmental service providers, requiring early planning for new infrastructure, circular-economy investments and compliance systems ahead of staged entry into force from promulgation and July 2027.

12 May 2026, 18:27korea.krSouth Korea

France: Vannes Court Convicts Générale Du Solaire For Destruction Of Protected Species At Solar Park

On 7 May 2026, a French criminal court fined solar developer Générale du Solaire €100,000 and awarded €17,000 in damages to NGOs for illegally destroying protected species during construction of a ground-mounted photovoltaic park. The case signals that renewable energy projects in France face real criminal and financial exposure if ecological studies, mitigation measures and biodiversity commitments in project approvals are weak or poorly implemented.

12 May 2026, 15:27fne.asso.frFrance

Wales Enacts Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026

Wales has enacted the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026, creating statutory environmental principles, an independent Office of Environmental Governance Wales, and a binding framework for setting and meeting biodiversity targets. This will strengthen oversight of Welsh public authorities and drive new biodiversity targets, plans, and evaluation cycles over the next decade, increasing governance pressure for stronger environmental regulation, planning and enforcement affecting operators in Wales.

12 May 2026, 15:09legislation.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Australia Opens Statutory Consultation on Environmental Offsets Standard Under EPBC Act

Australia’s environment department has opened statutory consultation on the exposure draft of a new Environmental Offsets Standard under the EPBC Act, with submissions due by 9 June 2026. The standard will set binding rules for how unavoidable environmental damage must be offset, so project proponents across sectors should review the draft now to understand future approval conditions and offset obligations.

12 May 2026, 15:07dcceew.gov.auAustralia

US NMFS Seeks Comment on Renewal of Incidental Take Permit for Atlantic Sturgeon at Chesterfield Power Station

NMFS has opened a public comment period until 10 June 2026 on Dominion’s request to renew a 10-year incidental take permit for Atlantic sturgeon at the Chesterfield Power Station in Virginia. If granted, the permit would lock in significant long-term monitoring and mitigation commitments for sturgeon entrainment and eggs/larvae take, underscoring continued regulatory scrutiny of water-intensive power operations in critical endangered-species habitat.

12 May 2026, 14:58federalregister.govUnited States