Greenpeace urges faster action to protect the oceans

Greenpeace is urging governments to move faster and work together to protect marine life in international waters, as a UN biodiversity summit begins in Yerevan, Armenia. The group says existing and proposed protected areas are not enough to meet a global target to protect 30 per cent of the oceans by 2030. [1]

A UN treaty that came into force earlier this year sets the target for the high seas — waters beyond any country’s jurisdiction. A separate agreement calls for protecting at least 30 per cent of the world’s land and waters by the same year.

Nearly 10 per cent of the oceans currently has protected status, Greenpeace says, but only about 3.5 per cent is classed as fully or highly protected. The organisation argues that marine reserves need to form a connected network, taking account of ocean currents and the migration routes of animals.

Greenpeace says more than 800 marine species migrate between national waters and the high seas, and that their survival depends on protection along their entire routes. It highlights humpback whales and leatherback turtles, saying much of their habitat lies outside protected zones and is exposed to activities including fishing and shipping.

The group has proposed 11 additional protected areas, mainly in the Atlantic, where it says migratory species face the greatest risks. Greenpeace representative Lukas Meus called on summit participants to back ambitious measures, warning that without action “there’ll soon be no animals left to protect”. [1]