Can We Finally Save The Oceans

The ocean is responsible for 50% of the oxygen we breathe. And yet, it undergoes constant destruction due to materializing threats from temperature changes, overfishing, habitat destruction and more. Unfortunately, as much as we like to watch a good (and a new) David Attenborough documentary, cross-border actions by governments of the whole world are needed for sustainable and long term improvements. 

In the first half of June, the United Nations Ocean Conference took place in Nice, France and invited heads of state, scientists, Indigenous leaders and civil society to discuss one od UN’s self-defined Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is the third year of the summit, following previous ones in New York and Lisbon. 

Already at the opening, the summit called for banning bottom trawling and more severe conservation measures for international waters. “At the opening of the conference today, the United Kingdom pledged to ban bottom trawling—one of the most destructive fishing practices—in 41 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). UK Environment Secretary Steve Reed announced a ban on bottom trawling covering more than 30,000 square kilometres – roughly half of English MPAs. This decision represents one of the most significant steps to date in aligning national fisheries management with international obligations to protect marine biodiversity,” said Francesco Maletto, a lawyer at ClientEarth, an environmental law charity for PulseZ.

“The Pacific island states have banned bottom trawling in their national jurisdictions – and so we are calling on all nations to do the same. The EU is full of countries that are still doing this,” said Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu’s environment minister. 

Outcomes: High Seas Treaty

If you are unsure what high seas means exactly you are not alone. However, this term is essential to understand the governance of common waters. International law defines the high seas as “all parts of the ocean that aren’t included in the exclusive economic zone, the territorial sea, or the internal waters of a country, or in the archipelagic waters of an archipelagic country.” In practice, these waters cover  two thirds of the world’s oceans and are not governed by any country’s government but all countries can fish, ship or conduct research in these areas., but since the ocean does not recognize these man-made borders, the spillover effect of human action influences the ecosystem as a whole.

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is in charge of the exploration and exploitation of the high seas area, since activities like fishing or shipping are still allowed. However, the governance is also split between smaller organizations based on regions or sectors, which makes the collaboration in governance difficult. The high seas treaty aims to improve the conservation of the ecosystem and implement area-based management, such as Marine Protected Areas (MPA). 

“Bottom trawling is generally permitted in MPAs unless it is expressly prohibited or restricted by specific regulations. In the EU, the legal framework governing this issue is complex, but there is no overarching ban on bottom trawling within MPAs. That said, a proper and consistent application of existing EU environmental and fisheries rules – particularly those aimed at protecting sensitive seabed habitats and species – should in many cases lead to its restriction or prohibition in these areas,” said Maletto.

At the conference, 19 countries ratified the already introduced treaty, adding up to 50 ratifications, however still short of 10 necessary for the treaty to take effect. You can follow the ratification progress and whether your home country signed or ratified the treaty here. 

Outcomes: Support on Pause for Deep Sea Mining

Some countries are calling for a precautionary pause or an outright ban of deep sea mining. On the other side of this are the United States under Trump’s administration. In April, Trump signed an executive order to fast-track deep-sea mining. In July, the ISA is supposed to meet and discuss the moratorium on deep-sea mining. Permits for companies to mine in the ocean of the US but also international waters are supposed to be fast-tracked critically halting the efforts by other countries. 

The reason for the continued deep-sea mining are the resources in the form of minerals in the seabed, interesting for the tech industry above all. To be more specific, these are small pieces of rock that has been forming for millions of years, resulting in production of what we know as nickel, cobalt, copper, or manganese.  

What’s the Role of Europe?

The European Commission announced an investment of 1 billion euros to support conservation efforts, research and sustainable fishing. Germany invested in 100 million euros for removals of underwater munitions in the Baltic and North Seas. Including mostly European countries, the High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean is asking for policy changes to make ocean and the seas a place without redundant noise. This means suggestions on policies about ship noise reduction, acoustic protection in MPAs, through decreasing speed limits, re-routing or technical improvements on the fleets.