ONLY ONE : 🌊 Catching up and catching waves...

 

Hi friend, With fall just around the corner, I hope you've been making the most of all that summer has to offer. In between cooling off and catching some waves, people around the world were debating the ocean’s future, from the high seas to the very bottom of our sea floor — shaping the stakes that will impact marine life for generations.  So as one of Only One’s senior campaign managers, I’m here with some back-to-school reading! Here are four updates you need to know about some of the biggest negotiations underway for our ocean and planet: High Seas Treaty: We’re just eight ratifications away from the High Seas Treaty finally entering into force — a once-in-a-generation step to protect nearly half our planet. Right now at the UN (PrepComm2), countries are hammering out the rules and funding to make it real.  Global Plastics Treaty: Talks to end plastic pollution (INC-5.2) stalled this month. The sticking point? Whether to cap new plastic production or only focus on waste and recycling. 183 countries showed up, but no deal was met — meaning advocacy in the months ahead is critical to keep ambition alive. Deep Sea Mining: The Assembly of the International Seabed Authority concluded without a much-needed moratorium on deep-sea mining — despite overwhelming scientific evidence and leaders from Palau to France demanding a pause. One positive: an inquiry into violations by The Metals Company, the corporation that’s been champing at the bit for years to exploit the seafloor. With 38 states now backing a precautionary pause, pressure is growing — but governments must act fast before the seabed is sacrificed. Bottom Trawling: This summer, the EU General Court confirmed that Member States can legally ban bottom trawling in marine protected areas. Yet enforcement lags, with countries like Spain, Denmark, and the Netherlands dragging their feet. Now is the time to hold governments to account. And progress is on the horizon, with the UK finally announcing plans to protect 41 MPAs and collecting feedback from the public, including many of you!

So stay tuned… Because no matter what season it is, we’ve got plenty of opportunities to turn awareness into action. Remember, the ocean needs our help year-round. For the ocean, We have only one planet and only one ocean, and there is only one way to do this: Together. Explore our 2024 Impact Report Connect with us!