Greenpeace: “Immediately ratify the ocean treaty and protect another 11 million square kilometers every year”
The planet’s seas are suffering from the increasingly destructive effects of human activity: industrial fishing, acidification, deoxygenation, pollution, maritime transport, to which is added the recent threat of deep-sea mining, the so-called deep sea mining. Therefore, it is necessary to ratify the Global Ocean Compact as soon as possible and protect approximately 11 million km² of ocean every year from now until 2030.
Greenpeace’s investigation confirms this. “30×30: from the Global Ocean Compact to taking effective measures to protect the sea”. The report proposes a policy roadmap to protect 30% of the oceans by 2030 (the so-called 30×30 biodiversity target), with ratification of the Treaty by states during the United Nations General Assembly as the first step, scheduled for 20 September.
The report details the threats facing the oceans and includes new global analysis of high seas fisheries, which grew by 8.5% between 2018 and 2022. with an increase of 22.5% from 2018 to 2022. Longlines in particular account for more than three-quarters of total high seas fishing activity worldwide, are characterized by thousands of baited hooks and can be over 100 km in length: a type of destructive gear that results in high levels of bycatch. These data indicate that we are moving in the opposite direction to that outlined in the Treaty.
“The treaty is a historic victory for the seas, but due to the lack of concrete measures, the impact on marine life is worsening every day,” says Giuseppe Ungherese, director of Greenpeace Italy’s anti-pollution campaign. “Now all countries, including Italy, must urgently proceed with ratification and begin to create an effective network of marine reserves also in their territorial waters and exclusive economic zones. The science is clear: only by protecting at least 30% of the oceans by 2030 will we give the planet’s seas a chance to regenerate and thrive.”
Greenpeace also collaborated with actress Jane Fonda, actor Simon Pegg and singer-songwriter Camila Cabello to create an animated short film that follows the journey of three sea creatures intent on escaping the threats described in the report by seeking refuge in the ocean. Ocean.
“We don’t have much time: 2030 is just over six years away, which isn’t long considering all the work we still have to do,” says Oscar-winning actress Jane Fonda. “This Treaty cannot advance 30×30 without ratification, which will allow us to designate protected areas in some of the most important areas of the oceans to protect biodiversity and the stability of our climate. Governments must turn this historic treaty into law as quickly as possible, not in 10 years when it will be too late.”
The Italian government has already officially announced its commitment to the 30×30 target at the 2022 Biodiversity Conference. rapid ratification process for the Global Ocean Compact.
Report and Key Findings