This open letter from Bermudian civil society and business urges the UK Government to recognise and support Bermuda’s leadership in protecting the Sargasso Sea by swiftly ratifying the High Seas Treaty, collaborating with Bermuda on a new high seas ocean sanctuary, and ensuring our permanent role in its governance.
Dear David Lammy, UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs,
We, a vibrant collection of organizations from the UK Overseas Territory of Bermuda, are reaching out with a strong and united call for action. We urge you to partner with us in establishing a high seas ocean sanctuary in the Sargasso Sea, which surrounds our island in the Atlantic Ocean; a unique place for biodiversity and a vital part of our natural heritage.
The Sargasso Sea, known as the “golden floating rainforest” due to its extensive sargassum seaweed, encircles the islands of Bermuda—the only landmass within its bounds. This region is not only crucial for its ecological diversity but also serves as the cultural and economic bedrock of our island. Bermuda’s livelihoods, particularly our tourism and fishing industries, are deeply intertwined with the health of our surrounding waters.
The recent adoption of the High SeasTreaty by the United Nations marks an historic opportunity. This treaty provides the essential framework needed to protect the high seas, enabling countries to establish a global network of ocean sanctuaries aimed at preserving at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030—a goal that leaders and scientists alike deem the absolute minimum to ensure the ocean’s recovery and resilience.
Bermuda has long been a steward of the Sargasso Sea, advocating for its protection and sustainable management. But protecting this special area will deliver benefits not only to Bermuda but to the global community at large. A well-managed sanctuary will help to safeguard the Atlantic Ocean’s unique biodiversity for generations to come, and will also protect a significant carbon store that plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change.
We cannot achieve this alone. As a UK Overseas Territory, Bermuda cannot ratify the Treaty, but we must be involved in the process to protect the high seas that surround us. We need the United Kingdom and countries around the world to ratify the High Seas Treaty and start developing plans for ocean sanctuaries as a matter of urgency.
We urge you to:
- Swiftly ratify the High Seas Treaty and support states across the world to do the same.
- Collaborate with Bermuda and international partners on a proposal to designate the Sargasso Sea as one of the world’s first high seas ocean sanctuaries under the new treaty.
- Appoint Bermuda as a permanent member of any governing board overseeing the Sargasso Sea sanctuary, ensuring that the island’s welfare is consistently represented in all decision-making processes.
Your leadership in these matters is crucial for the protection of the Sargasso Sea and our shared future. We eagerly await your favorable response and look forward to collaborating with you to ensure the Sargasso Sea, a treasure within our shared global ocean, receives the protection it urgently needs.