Global Effort to Safeguard High Seas Biodiversity: Over 60 Nations sign UN Ocean Treaty

by Fishery News
Published: Last Updated on

More than 60 countries have recently signed a United Nations Ocean Treaty after two decades of intense negotiations. The treaty, aimed at conserving biodiversity on the high seas, covers ocean areas that are not under the direct ownership or regulation of any specific country, constituting two-thirds of Earth’s oceans and providing 90% of available life habitats.

The treaty, celebrated as a milestone, addresses the pressing issue of unregulated resource use in these expansive and ungoverned spaces. With an estimated 90% of the world’s marine fish stocks fully exploited, overexploited, or depleted, the need for conservation measures is urgent.

Comprising 76 articles, the treaty’s objectives include the protection and sustainable management of the marine environment, the preservation of ocean ecosystems such as coral reefs, and the conservation of biological diversity. Once ratified, it will enable the establishment of marine protected areas in the high seas.

While the treaty doesn’t explicitly ban commercial fishing in the high seas, it incorporates language suggesting the possibility of “sustainable use.” This offers hope for addressing unsustainable fishing activities in the region, contingent upon full implementation.

Concerns, however, arise regarding the treaty’s potential impact on distant water fleets, which may be driven closer to land, particularly in lucrative fishing grounds belonging to African countries. Critics argue that the treaty’s broad nature lacks specificity, necessitating clear regulations from its implementing agency, which is yet to be determined.

To safeguard Africa’s vulnerable fish stocks, experts advocate for stringent regulations, including the reduction of fisheries subsidies to vessels once reliant on the high seas. The loss of access to high seas fish may drive fleets to exploit rich and diverse species in African waters, where monitoring is often lax, risking further illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

Notably, about 97% of high-seas fishing is conducted by vessels flagged to high-income countries, with China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Spain accounting for the majority. These nations already have fisheries arrangements with African countries, contributing to both legal and illegal fishing activities.

The issue of harmful subsidies, a key driver of overfishing, is not explicitly addressed in the treaty, leaving the door open for increased fishing activities within the jurisdictions of coastal countries. Experts stress the need for international support for regional fisheries bodies in Africa, enhanced monitoring, and cooperation to strike a balance between implementing the treaty and ensuring sustainable fishing practices in the continent’s oceans.

You may also like

Leave a Comment

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More

Shares