In March 2023, world leaders adopted the first ever Global Ocean Treaty, heeding the calls of 5.5 million people from across the world. After decades of imagining what a network of ocean sanctuaries could look like – magical underwater forests and colourful reefs teeming with life – this historic conservation victory has brought us closer to making this vision a reality.
The story of the Global Ocean Treaty
How people power helped win a huge victory for our blue planet.
But getting a Global Ocean Treaty is just the start. The treaty makes it possible to create vast ocean sanctuaries where marine life can recover and thrive. But this can only begin once at least 60 governments have signed it into law.
Many people haven’t heard about this yet, so we’ve teamed up with Simon Pegg, Camila Cabello and Jane Fonda on a short film that brings the story to life. Watch, share and spread the word.
The path to healthy oceans
Read the report
See Greenpeace's new roadmap to protecting 30% of the oceans by 2030.
Using the treaty as a compass, Greenpeace has mapped out a pathway to protecting 30% of our oceans by 2030. It starts with three priority sites that should among the first new ocean sanctuaries created under the treaty:
- The Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic ocean
- The Emperor Seamounts in the Northwest Pacific Ocean
- The South Tasman Sea/Lord Howe Rise between Australia and New Zealand.
The report also shows the growing human pressures on our oceans: the total number of hours spent fishing on the high seas appears to have risen by almost 10% since 2018. What’s even more alarming is that the report found fishing activity on areas that are set to be protected under the treaty has grown even faster.
Our oceans are running out of time. But the momentum is on our side and it’s crucial that we use it to make governments act swiftly to give our oceans a chance to bounce back. Let’s apply some pressure to get this treaty locked down in law.
