UN adopts first-ever agreement to protect marine life in the high seas

Source: The post is based on the article “UN adopts first-ever agreement to protect marine life in the high seas” published in The Hindu on 20th June 2023

What is the News?

The United Nations has adopted the first-ever treaty to protect marine life on the high seas.

The treaty will be opened for signatures on September 20, 2023, during the annual meeting of world leaders at the General Assembly, and it will take effect once it is ratified by 60 countries.

What is the UN High Seas Treaty?

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Why is the new high seas treaty critical for the world?

Fresh protection beyond borders: While countries are responsible for the conservation and sustainable use of waterways under their national jurisdiction, the high seas now have added protection from such destructive trends as pollution and unsustainable fishing activities.

Cleaner oceans: Toxic chemicals and millions of tons of plastic waste are flooding into coastal ecosystems, killing or injuring fish, sea turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals, and making their way into the food chain and ultimately being consumed by humans.

– According to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) report, more than 17 million metric tons of plastic entered the world’s ocean in 2021, making up 85% of marine litter, and projections are expected to double or triple each year by 2040.

– The treaty aims at strengthening resilience and contains provisions based on the polluter-pays principle as well as mechanisms for disputes.

– Under the treaty’s provisions, parties must assess the potential environmental impacts of any planned activities beyond their jurisdictions.

Sustainably managing fish stocks: According to the UN, more than one-third of global fish stocks are over-exploited.

– The treaty underlines the importance of capacity building and the transfer of marine technology, including the development and strengthening of institutional capacity and national regulatory frameworks or mechanisms.

– This includes increasing collaboration among regional seas organizations and regional fisheries management organizations.

Lowering temperatures: Global heating is pushing ocean temperatures to new heights, fueling more frequent and intense storms, rising sea levels, and the salinization of coastal lands and aquifers.

– Addressing these urgent concerns, the treaty offers guidance, including an integrated approach to ocean management that builds ecosystem resilience to tackle the adverse effects of climate change.

– The treaty also recognizes the rights and traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities, the freedom of scientific research and the need for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits.