Member states of the United Nations will gather in New York to discuss a long-awaited treaty that, if agreed, is expected to govern the planet’s last, lawless wilderness: the high seas.
According to environmental groups, the high seas which are two hundred nautical miles beyond the territorial waters and jurisdiction of nations have been treated “recklessly.
Warning that the outcome of the talks – which run from Monday until 26 August, will determine the fate of the ocean for generations, the groups are urging world leaders to agree to an ambitious, legally binding treaty to protect marine life and reverse biodiversity loss.
Read also: Chelsea boss asks football clubs to be climate change role models
Marco Lambertini, director general of WWF International said, “the high seas epitomise the tragedy of the commons,”. “Because they don’t belong to anyone, they have been treated recklessly with impunity. We need a common governance mechanism for our oceans to ensure that nobody’s waters become everyone’s waters – and everyone’s responsibility.”
The high seas, which lie beyond the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of nations and makeup two-thirds of the ocean, play a vital role in supporting fisheries, providing habitats for ecosystems crucial for planetary health and mitigating the impact of the climate crisis. However, only 1% of the high seas are protected.
Oceans campaigner at Greenpeace Africa,Awa Traoré was quoted as saying that marine life has suffered, in the two decades governments have been discussing a high seas treaty.
“Here in west Africa, we’ve already seen fish stocks severely depleted by industrial fishing vessels, often from Europe, and this is already harming livelihoods and food security across the region,” said Traoré. “Any further delays would be a slap in the face to all who put faith in political leaders keeping their promises. Delegates must follow through on their governments’ commitments and finalise an ambitious global ocean treaty now.”
At least fifty nations have pledged to protect 30% of the planet’s land and seas by 2030. But these pledges will have no legal basis on the high seas, without an agreement.
This month’s talks are the second attempt this year to reach an agreement on the high seas and the ocean has a critical role in buffering the world from the climate crisis, by absorbing carbon dioxide as well as 90% of heat caused by warming.
But sea levels, ocean heating, acidification and greenhouse gas concentrations all reached record levels last year, according to the World Meteorological Organisation’s state of the global climate report. And this hampered the ocean’s capacity as a carbon sink.
Story was adapted from the Guardian.
