The most common process by which collection of MGR from ABNJ is undertaken from UK craft is from a planned research cruise using a national research vessel, such as the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)-owned Royal Research Ship (RRS) James Cook and RRS Discovery. These vessels are managed on behalf of NERC by the National Oceanography Centre (NOC). The process to apply to use marine facilities, including the RRS, can be found on the NERC website 1 . Research cruises are awarded by NERC on a competitive basis using an application procedure involving many of the details that will be included in the eventual cruise plan if the application is successful. To enable efficient use of valuable cruise time, many research cruises have multiple project teams on board, often from different countries, carrying out several different research projects each with their own leader, aims and objectives. The cruise will operate under the overall supervision of a Chief Scientist. This approach requires careful planning of the research cruise path, use of equipment and on-board facilities.
	An application for cruise time is required to contain:
Common elements such as background, aims and objectives;
A work programme including intended sampling locations and equipment to be used;
The technical capability of the vessel that will carry out the work;
Plans for sample and data collection and utilisation;
Data management plans;
Letters of support from collaborators at national, international, and private sector level;
A plan for the training of early stage and early career researchers and public engagement activities;
A plan for the incorporation of researchers from developing countries is encouraged as a form of capacity-building;
A budget covering travel of researchers to join the cruise as well as consumables needed and sample shipment.
	An application is evaluated by reviewers and discussed by a panel that decides which bid will be allocated research cruise time and provides feedback to successful and unsuccessful bids. If the bid is unsuccessful the proposer may wish to redraft based on reviewer comments and resubmit. This entire process can be lengthy, and it can take many months, even years, between the initial submission for cruise time, the eventual award, and the actual research cruise.
	Once a research cruise is awarded, the next stage of planning begins including checking the technical feasibility of the proposed work on the vessel to be used and the sampling and on-board facilities available. It may be necessary to check whether the cruise path enters marine protected areas or other sensitive areas, and an environmental impact assessment may be required, or permits needed to enter certain areas. Materials needed for research (e.g. equipment, consumables) will need to be loaded onto the vessel/shipped to the location where the cruise team will join the vessel.
	During the research cruise the intended cruise path may change due to weather conditions and sampling activity may be altered depending on these conditions, or the functionality of sampling gear and discoveries made while on the cruise that alter the research aims and objectives. Samples will be preserved on board using different procedures (cooling, freezing, preservation in alcohol or other liquids etc.) or they may be analysed immediately, and data generated.
	Once the cruise returns to port, samples will be shipped to the institutions of respective project teams, often in different countries, meaning the same MGR may end up in multiple collections.
	In summary, the information required to be provided in the pre-collection notification under Article 12(2)(a)-(d), (f), (g), and (j) of the BBNJ Agreement is currently included in cruise plans or is available from the vessel operator, and scientists are familiar with these processes. Information under Article 12(2)(e) ("Information concerning any other contributions to proposed major programmes") is available dependent on the funder and research programme, and information under Article 12(2)(h) and (i) ("Opportunities for scientists of all States, in particular scientists from developing States, to be involved in or associated with the project" and "The extent to which it is considered that States that may need and request technical assistance, in particular developing States, should be able to participate or to be represented in the project"), is available on some cruises, but is not currently consistently required.
	The information to be provided in the post-collection notification under Article 12(5)(a)-(c) is all currently included in the cruise plan or cruise report. Article 12(5)(d) ("Any necessary updates to the data management plan provided under paragraph (2) (j) above") will be a new requirement for scientists but stakeholders advised that this will not be an onerous obligation.
Annex B – Outline of existing ocean research processes