Océans (ONLY ONE, message en anglais) : The HIGH SEAS TREATY is in effect! What's next? 🌊

 

Hi , History was made last month. After decades of deliberation, the High Seas Treaty finally entered into force, marking the first time the world has a legal framework to protect the ocean beyond national borders. Make no mistake: this is a major turning point for marine life and resources, made possible by a worldwide movement that includes the over 200,000 of you (!) who spoke up.   This win took nearly 20 years of negotiations before the action of recent years picked up pace. In 2023, the High Seas Treaty was finalized and opened for countries' signatures, only ready to enter into force once ratified by 60 nations — a landmark achieved in September. Today, the treaty boasts 80+ and is legally binding for all signatories, with more still coming onboard. So, what are the high seas, and why is this treaty a big deal? The high seas are the waters beyond any country’s jurisdiction, covering roughly two-thirds of the ocean and almost half the planet’s surface. They play a vital role in global biodiversity and carbon storage... Yet only around 1% is protected! That’s where the High Seas Treaty comes in. For the first time, it gives countries the tools to:  Create marine protected areas (MPAs) in the high seas.  Support global collaboration through capacity-building and technology transfer, e.g., safer fishing equipment or more effective surveying tools.  Strengthen environmental safeguards for activities on the high seas.  Promote a fairer system for sharing the benefits of marine genetic resources, which could power untold scientific and medical advances. When the ocean is given space, it thrives. We’ve seen it happen in protected areas time and time again: fish return, ecosystems rebuild, and life slowly finds its balance.  That’s why we're not losing sight of our goal to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030. Because it's up to all of us to keep the momentum going. You can start by signing or sharing the pledge to protect the Central Arctic Ocean, the only ocean blanketed by sea ice year-round — for now. Soon its summers may be ice-free. Where belugas and ringed seals swim, the Central Arctic Ocean is now at increased risk from exploitation as warming sea ice cracks into transpolar shipping routes and deep-sea mining sites.  Now the High Seas Treaty provides a new legal opportunity for international protection of these waters. So from the high seas of the north to the Southern Ocean and everywhere in between, we hope you'll join us as we continue to champion our blue world. The Only One Team  We have only one planet and only one ocean, and there is only one way to do this: Together. Connect with us!