Over 100 member states of the United Nations (UN) have approved an agreement about protection marine life in international ocean waters beyond state borders. The agreement was approved at the UN headquarters in New York on March 5th. It provides for the creation of protected maritime zones and aims to protect and restore marine life, with a goal of having a third of all international waters protected by 2030.
Protecting Marine Life
The oceans are a unique ecosystem and a source of food for billions of people. They play a vital role in regulating the climate by absorbing more than 90 percent of the planet’s excess heat and creating half of the oxygen that people breathe. However, commercial fishing and mining, as well as chemical and plastic pollution, have caused significant damage to marine life. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, almost 10 percent of marine species are endangered.
The agreement establishes basic rules for conducting environmental impact assessments of commercial activities in the oceans. It will also introduce restrictions on fishing, shipping routes, and mining in protected areas. The agreement has been under preparation for almost two decades, with disagreements over fishing quotas causing delays. With the help of international cooperation, the differences were resolved. Participating countries expected to ratify the agreement once the text has been translated into the UN’s six official languages.
EU Welcomes Historic Agreement
The European Commission has welcomed the first global agreement on the protection of the world’s oceans, calling it a historic moment. The agreement will be crucial in protecting marine life and preserving the oceans for future generations. By having a third of international waters protected, it will ensure that marine life has the opportunity to thrive and that the oceans continue to play their vital role in regulating the climate.
