In a monumental achievement, almost 200 nations have forged an unprecedented "high seas treaty" designed to ensure the well-being of marine life in international waters. Emerging after arduous negotiations spanning two decades, this milestone was reached at the United Nations headquarters in New York, culminating in an exhaustive 36-hour session.
This ground-breaking treaty empowers nations to establish and oversee marine protected areas, critical for the preservation of oceanic biodiversity. It also incorporates protocols for assessing potential environmental impacts from activities like deep sea mining, offering foresight before their commencement. Signatories have committed to collaborative resource-sharing, underlining collective responsibility in ocean safeguarding.
Greenpeace Nordic's Oceans Campaigner, Laura Meller, characterizes the accord as a victory for conservation and global cohesion. Encompassing more than half of the planet's surface, the high seas confront challenges from climate-induced warming and acidification that jeopardize marine life.
Human actions, including industrial fishing, shipping, and deep sea mining, amplify these threats. The treaty bridges regulatory gaps by empowering nations to establish marine protected areas in international waters, aligning with the biodiversity objectives set forth in COP15.
Monica Medina, US Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, highlights the treaty's pivotal role in achieving the goal of conserving 30% of the global ocean by 2030. This accord signifies a momentous stride towards safeguarding the high seas and their invaluable ecosystems.
Source: Laura P. (6 Mar, 2023). Countries agree on historic oceans treaty to protect the high seas. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/04/world/un-oceans-treaty-biodiversity-climate-intl/index.html
