8 June, 2021
Marine Conservation Institute hosts two data portals that allow users to view the extent and type of protection in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ): the High Seas Protection Portal and Marine Protection Atlas. The High Seas Protection Portal is an interactive map that shows fishery closures and open fishing areas within each regional fisheries management organization’s (RFMO’s) boundaries, deep-sea mining leases and areas of interest, modelled habitat suitability for key benthic taxa, marine designations such as Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs), and political boundaries. Users can also select layers and areas of interest and export these maps for reports or other communications.
Continue reading Explore Protection on the High Seas and Create Your Own Maps!
21 May, 2021
Authors: Olivia Livingstone and John Paul Jose
A fisherman who builds his life around the Ocean, a community whose economy is supported by the Ocean, a beach lover, and you, reading this blog, because of your connection to the Ocean —or your love for reading blogs, are all inextricably linked to the high seas. And this is exactly what we are exploring here, the major links that coastal waters, coastal communities, and humanity share with areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ).
Continue reading Connectivity of the High Seas to Coastal Waters
12 April, 2021
The High Seas Alliance is in search of a Campaign Coordinator.
Please see the full job description here.
27 November, 2020
The High Seas Alliance, in collaboration with the Paris Peace Forum 2020, convened a high-level panel to discuss the new high seas treaty and the need for global ambition to move it past the finish line in 2021. The panel was moderated by former Costa Rican President and Founder of Ocean Unite, José Maria Figueres, with panel discussion amongst Virginijus Sinkevičius (Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, European Commission), H.E. Rena Lee (President of the Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ), Annick Girardin (Minister of Marine Affairs, France) and Sir Richard Branson (CEO Virgin).
Continue reading Towards Blue Governance: Bringing the High Seas Treaty over the finish line
12 June, 2020
The High Seas Alliance is pleased to share the recent High Seas Protection webinar session, a part of the EarthxOcean 2020 Virtual Conference: Protecting the Life Support Systems of the Ocean.
1 April, 2020
World governments were due to meet at the United Nations in March/April this year for the final scheduled negotiation session to establish a new international legally-binding High Seas Treaty.
While these negotiations have been temporarily postponed, it is important to continue the work and momentum towards finalising negotiations and the adoption of this landmark treaty as early as possible.
Continue reading High Seas Alliance and Prospect Round Table
23 March, 2020
Dear Ocean Friends,
We are in the midst of unprecedented global health threats that require all of us to recalibrate, and find new ways to approach our work, our communities and our social lives. In the midst of the postponement of the fourth and final-slated session of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC4) to negotiate a legally binding treaty under UNCLOS for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ), the ocean is still facing unprecedented threats from human activities. It is all the more important to use this extended intersessional period as an opportunity to progress negotiations on the President’s draft text. While the date for IGC4 is yet to be determined, the High Seas Alliance is prepared to support new and innovative ways of working during these challenging times. We must work together, continue the momentum and keep ambition high so that we can conclude IGC4 with a treaty that delivers long-awaited protection for marine life in our high seas.
Continue reading High Seas Alliance Newsletter – Spring 2020
19 March, 2020
For the past year, Greenpeace ships have been voyaging across the Atlantic on a Pole to Pole expedition through the high seas, exposing the threats they are facing and campaigning for a strong Global Ocean Treaty that delivers real protection on the high seas.
19 February, 2020
The Latin American region’s positive leadership has been tangible towards the final phase of the negotiation of a new legally binding BBNJ Treaty.
4 February, 2020
“RISE UP – a blue call to action” was officially launched in February 2020 at the preparatory meeting for the UN Ocean Conference that will take place in Lisbon, Portugal from 2-6 June 2020. RISE UP has been developed over the past 6 months by a unique collaboration of globally active organizations, including the High Seas Alliance and a number of its members, Indigenous Peoples and Fisherfolk groups, and other ocean conservation organizations.