Ocean Treaty talks resume while calls for strong high seas sanctuaries intensify

Activists, scientists and Indigenous community members, alongside Greenpeace, called on governments to agree on the process for the first protected areas under the Global Ocean Treaty as the BBNJ Preparatory Commission talks resume at the United Nations Headquarters in New York this week.

Following a flurry of national ratifications at the UN Ocean Conference in June, the landmark Treaty is expected to clear the required number for a highly anticipated entry into force in the coming months, vital to protecting 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030. Greenpeace UK is now urging progress on priority sites in the Atlantic and across the globe, including the Sargasso Sea. 

During the second day of the talks[1], Greenpeace held an event at the United Nations Headquarters in partnership with activists, scientists and indigenous community members, calling for the just and equitable protection of the ocean[2]. Together they made the case for large new protected areas of the high seas in the Atlantic, and across the globe, which could help to reach the 30 by 30 target. The event, featuring panellists from Bermuda, Nigeria, Canada and Brazil, demanded integrity in recognising and empowering local and Indigenous rights, allowing for co-governance rooted in both scientific and traditional knowledge. This grounded, inclusive approach will ensure these Marine Protected Areas are both ecologically robust and socially just. 

Noelle Young, Sustainability Solutionist & Environmental Justice Delegate from Bermuda, who spoke at the event, said: 

“The Sargasso Sea must become one of the first high seas marine protected areas under the High Seas Treaty. It is one of the most studied, storied, and data rich regions of the global ocean – a borderless sea, alive with the migratory journeys of countless species. Bermuda is the only nation physically bound to the Sargasso. All that we are is deeply tied to the health of this unique oceanic system; from our food security and fresh water access to human health and economic fragility. Bermuda – alongside other subnational island jurisdictions – must be granted permissions to help steer this Treaty toward true environmental justice. Like many currents joining one sea, the voices of fishers, shipping companies, local and indigenous communities, governments and NGOs must flow together in guiding our future.”

Professor Babajide Alo, Scientific Advisor and Lead AGN Negotiator for the BBNJ from Nigeria, who also spoke at the event, said:

“The science is clear: Sanctuaries play a critical role in preserving biodiversity and sustaining food security for the billions who depend on ocean resources. Africa has vast marine and coastal ecosystems, including critical areas like the Gulf of Guinea, Red Sea, Western Indian Ocean, and Southern Atlantic. Empowered local scientists are the foundation for resilient, equitable, and evidence-based ocean sanctuaries. One of the core parts of the BBNJ Treaty is capacity building for developing countries. The Treaty must be a tool to meaningfully engage with and strengthen the scientific and technical skills of African researchers. This will reduce dependency on external experts and promote local ownership of the new ocean sanctuaries.”

The Ocean Treaty talks will focus on the Treaty’s ability to protect 30% of the oceans by 2030. It must have the power to implement measures quickly without relying on bodies like fisheries management organisations – which have overseen destruction of the oceans for decades – to deliver the levels of protection that the ocean needs. The talks will address observer participation in future Ocean Conferences of Parties (COPs), which will be vital to ensuring transparency and equal participation for civil society, Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

No final decisions will be made at these talks, but they will be crucial to whether or not the Treaty will be able to deliver effective management measures in international waters, including the necessary levels of protection needed for marine protected areas set up by the Treaty.

Chris Thorne, senior Oceans campaigner at Greenpeace UK, said:

“This Treaty must revolutionise global ocean governance by closing vast areas of the ocean to extractive and destructive human activities. As the Treaty moves towards entering into force, with only eight more countries needing to complete ratification before it commences, the next priority is how the Treaty can be used to create ocean sanctuaries. We need sanctuaries covering 30% of the world’s ocean by 2030. The UK government has a responsibility to champion the Sargasso Sea as one of the first ocean sanctuaries under the Treaty since Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory, and we know the richly biodiverse Sargasso Sea is of vital importance to Bermudians.”

A new short film, From The Sea We Came, produced by Greenpeace UK in partnership with Noelle Young and Burnt House productions, premiered at the event. This film highlights Bermudians’ personal stories, cultural heritage and emotional connection to the Sargasso Sea, and the central role it plays in their lives.

52 countries (plus the European Union) have currently ratified the Global Ocean Treaty. 60 ratifications by countries are needed for it to enter into force. Greenpeace UK is urging the UK government and other governments to ratify the Treaty as soon as possible and is urging progress on priority sites in the Atlantic and across the globe, including the Sargasso Sea. 

Ends

Photos of the event are available in the Greenpeace Media Library. 

The film From The Sea We Came will be available from 22 August on request.

Contact: 

Alexandra Sedgwick, Greenpeace UK press officer, alexandra.sedgwick@greenpeace.org, +44 7739 963 301. 

Notes for editors: 

1 – The talks, known as the second BBNJ Preparatory Commission, taking place over the coming two weeks in New York, are an important moment to secure the ocean governance needed to achieve a network of ocean sanctuaries on the high seas. Governments must now agree on the process for creating the first protected areas under the Treaty if we are to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030 – a goal which scientists agree is absolutely necessary. 

2 – The event panellists were: 

• Professor Babajide Alo, Scientific Advisor and Lead AGN Negotiator for the BBNJ from Nigeria 
• Cruise Sylliboy, Mi’kmaw student and High Seas Youth Ambassador from Canada 
• Noelle Young, Sustainability Solutionist & Environmental Justice Delegate from Bermuda