The world’s seas are under threat like never before and time is running out to meet the global biodiversity goal of conserving at least 30% of the planet’s ocean by 2030. The only feasible way to meet this goal is via the creation of a network of ocean sanctuaries on the high seas – the vast expanses of the ocean that lie beyond national jurisdiction.
This has finally been made possible by the agreement of the UN Global Ocean Treaty which, once it enters into force, will enable countries to work together to finally create high seas ocean sanctuaries.
The world’s oceans are already under threat from overfishing, pollution and climate change. Now, the spectre of deep sea mining on the horizon poses new dangers to the world’s ocean.
To become a global leader on biodiversity and ocean protection, the government should:
- Ratify the Global Ocean Treaty as soon as possible – Many of the UK’s allies are aiming to complete ratification by June 2025, and the government should keep pace with this deadline.
- Work in collaboration with allies around the world to begin developing proposals for high seas ocean sanctuaries, ready to present at the Treaty’s first Conference of the Parties (COP1) which will take place within one year of the Treaty entering into force. The Sargasso Sea has been identified as a priority site to protect under the new Treaty and the UK is well-placed to spearhead this proposal, collaborating with other allies.
- Proactively push for a moratorium on deep sea mining at the International Seabed Authority. The government should build on its existing support for a precautionary pause on deep sea mining to position itself as one of the strongest international voices advancing a moratorium.
What is the Global Ocean Treaty?
The ocean plays a vital role in regulating our climate, supporting marine biodiversity, and providing food and livelihoods for billions of people. However, the world’s oceans face extreme and growing threats from human activity, from pollution to overfishing and climate change. And currently, less than 1% of the high seas are fully protected.
The UN Global Ocean Treaty, or the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, is one of the most significant steps forward in international conservation in history. Once it enters into force, the Treaty will enable countries to work together to create a network of ocean sanctuaries spanning the high seas. This is currently the world’s only pathway to meet the global biodiversity goal of protecting at least 30% of the world’s ocean before 2030.
For the Treaty to enter into force, 60 countries must first ratify it into national law. The EU has stated that it intends to ratify the Treaty before the UN Ocean Conference (9-13 June 2025). In May, the G7 also stated its members will endeavour to ratify the Treaty by the next UN Ocean Conference, and called on all states to pursue swift ratification of the Treaty. The last government committed to introduce legislation and complete ratification by the June 2025 deadline, and officials in the FCDO and Defra have been drafting the new legislation needed for ratification for several months. However, the new government recently stated that there is “no deadline for ratification” – so more political leadership is now needed to introduce the necessary legislation by Spring 2025 at the latest and ensure the UK doesn’t fall behind.
Leading the way on global ocean sanctuaries: Protection of the Sargasso Sea
Beyond ratification, the work to start identifying potential sites for protection must start now so that proposals are ready to present at the Treaty’s first conference of the parties (COP1). The Sargasso Sea is a clear candidate for protection. Nicknamed the “golden floating rainforest”, this special part of the North Atlantic Ocean is home to a rich range of species, and acts as a huge carbon store for the planet. The floating Sargassum mats, which give the sea its name, are home to more than 145 invertebrate species and more than 127 species of fish. But this uniquely biodiverse part of the Atlantic Ocean is at risk of overfishing, pollution and shipping traffic. The UK and the overseas territory of Bermuda are both proactive members of the Sargasso Sea Commission, which facilitates voluntary collaboration for the conservation of the Sargasso Sea. The government is therefore well placed to work with other countries in the region to spearhead a Sargasso Sea ocean sanctuary proposal.
Towards a global moratorium on deep sea mining
While implementing the Global Ocean Treaty is critical for establishing ocean sanctuaries, the health of our oceans will still be fundamentally threatened if deep sea mining is allowed to go ahead. Deep sea mining is a dangerous new industry that plans to mine the deep sea for minerals and resources. Scientists say it could lead to irreparable harm to our oceans, including damage to natural processes that store carbon. A growing coalition of governments have called for a ban, moratorium or pause and many tech and electric vehicle companies have said they support a moratorium and will not use minerals extracted from deep sea mining.
Labour’s announcement last year to support a moratorium on deep sea mining was hugely welcome. The government must now proactively push for a global moratorium on the world stage. This means using all diplomatic opportunities at the International Seabed Authority to actively advocate for a global moratorium, and encouraging other governments to join the growing coalition of countries, businesses and scientists in support of advocating a moratorium on this deeply destructive new industry.