The High Seas Treaty, the treaty that must ensure that 30 percent of all oceans are protected before 2030, can enter into force after years of negotiation. When sixtieth country On Friday, Morocco put its signature, enough to formally ratify the treaty. Because the High Seas Treaty only becomes valid after 120 days, the Convention will enter into force in January.
The Convention, which was already an agreement on in 2023, but that two years had been ratified by insufficient countries, is the first legally binding international agreement to protect marine life. It must ensure that biodiversity loss is prevented. With the establishment of protected sea areas in international waters, pollution and overfishing, among other things, have to be stopped. In addition, it is intended that developing countries gain more access to knowledge and technology about combating biodiversity loss.
Rebecca Hubbard, director of the High Seas Alliance, talks about a “historical moment” and “the crowning after years of dedication and global diplomacy by governments and stakeholders.” Greenpeace International speaks of “A milestone” and says that “the era of exploitation and destruction must end. Our oceans can’t wait, and we don’t.”
Dying out
Decades of overfishing, pollution by shipping and warming up the oceans due to climate change have badly damaged life under water. The most recent study by the International Union for Conservation of Nature shows that 10 percent of life in the ocean is threatened with extinction.
Han Dolman, director of the Royal Netherlands Institute for Research Der Zee, left last June NRC To expect that enough countries would sign the treaty in 2025. He was more critical about the role of the Netherlands. “I just ashamed that the Netherlands does not participate. Two years ago the ambitions were still towering, and now … with an inspired cabinet this had never happened.”