Uncategorised

2 decades in the making: a strong High Seas Treaty in numbers

15 February, 2023

21 years since this issue was first discussed at the UN at the Informal Consultative Process meeting in 2002.

1 whole new generation “Z” has been born. 

1,700,000,000 extra people on the planet.

5 years since the UN agreed a resolution to start negotiating a treaty.

5,300,000 people signed their names to a petition calling for a strong treaty.

6 intergovernmental negotiating conferences (okay- one is “resumed”).

26,820 times the @HighSeasAllianc Twitter handle was used in 2022.

2000 scientists from around the world signed a letter supporting a strong treaty

7 Our Ocean Conferences. 

2 UN Ocean Conferences. 

1 global pandemic

2 years of delayed negotiations.

43,416 High Seas Treaty video streams  on social media in 2022.

30×30 ocean protection target agreed in 2022.

8 previous years were 8 warmest on record.

2,000 marine species new to science added each year to the World Register of Marine Species 

5,223 mentions of #HighSeasTreaty on Twitter in 2022

50 organisations member of High Seas Alliance.

1,298 statements by governments and NGOs on the High Seas Alliance Treaty Tracker page.

0.8% of High Seas in implemented fully and highly protected areas.

The time is more than ripe! Future generations are counting on this. 

Let’s secure 1 strong High Seas Treaty on March 3 at the UN in New York in 2023.

What ocean do you want? Find out more. 

REACTION: COP15 OUTCOME RECOGNISES THE IMPORTANCE OF BLUE NATURE

19 December, 2022

Ocean groups reacted with relief to the announcement from CBD COP15 that states have committed to a target of 30% protection by 2030 (30×30) of land and sea as part of the new Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) that was just adopted in Montreal.

Following serious concerns that commitments relating to the ocean would be weaker than for terrestrial, Target 3 in the final outcome does include at least 30% protection of the marine realm. It also clearly highlights the need to respect the rights, roles, knowledge and territories of Indigenous peoples and local communities in achieving this 30×30 target.

The OneOcean Flotilla, made up of 90 groups globally, welcomed the new GBF after urging delegates to represent the #OceanInTheRoom through a new campaign.  Mirella von Lindenfels of the Flotilla said, “Ocean biodiversity is our greatest ally against climate change, it is vital that it is afforded at least 30% protection and recognised for its role in making the Earth habitable. Now the real hard work starts, implementing this target on the water. ”

To achieve 30% protection of the ocean will also require the completion of the High Seas Treaty which has been under negotiation at the UN and delayed until February 2023. Nathalie Rey of the High Seas Alliance said, “We have this global commitment to protect the ocean, now we need the High Seas Treaty to enable us to enact it in protecting two thirds of the ocean that make up the High Seas. States must bring this wave of action to completing a robust and strong Treaty at the resumed negotiations in February.”  

Jennifer Josehans  of SeaBlue Canada which began the #OceanInTheRoom campaign added:  “We welcome this historical agreement, particularly the acknowledgment of Indigenous rights and commitment to 30% protection of our ocean by 2030. Let us take this shared momentum and ensure quality and equitable protection on the ground. The countdown to 2030 starts today.”