Countries sign historic ocean protection deal
After two weeks of negotiations in New York (USA), the members of the United Nations agreed on a uniform agreement to protect biodiversity on the high seas almost half of the earth’s surface.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea began in 1994, before marine biodiversity was an established concept..
An updated framework to protect marine life in regions beyond national boundary waters known as the high seas has been debated for over 20 years., but previous efforts to reach an agreement have repeatedly stalled. The uniform contract agreement was reached late Saturday.
“We really only have two major global commons the atmosphere and the oceans,” said Georgetown marine biologist Rebecca Helm. While the oceans may draw less attention, “protecting this half of the Earth’s surface is absolutely critical to the health of our planet.”
Now that the longawaited text of the treaty is complete, Nichola Clark, ocean expert at the Pew Charitable Trusts, who was observing the negotiations in New York, said: “This is a onceinalifetime opportunity, the oceans a huge win for biodiversity.
The treaty will create a new body to manage conservation of marine life and establish marine protected areas on the high seas. And Clark said it’s critical to fulfilling the UN Biodiversity Conference’s recent pledge to protect 30% of the planet’s waters, as well as his country’s for conservation.
1 of 2 Turtle swims alongside coral underwater in Australia — Photo: Sam McNeil, File/AP Turtle swims alongside coral underwater in Australia — Photo: Sam McNeil, File/AP
The treaty also establishes ground rules for conducting environmental impact assessments for commercial marine activities.
“This means that all activities planned on the high seas must be reviewed, although not all undergo a full assessment,” said Jessica Battle, marine policy specialist at the World Wide Fund for Nature.
Many marine species including dolphins, whales, sea turtles and many fish undertake long annual migrations, crossing national borders and the high seas. Efforts to protect them and the human communities that depend on fisheries or marine tourism have already been hampered by a bewildering patchwork of laws.
2 of 2 Group of dolphins in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro — Photo: Silvia Izquierdo/AP Group of dolphins in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro — Photo: Silvia Izquierdo/AP