More than 20 new marine protected areas were designated at the recent U.N. conference in France, bringing attention to the critical need for ocean conservation as global challenges loom.
Progress Made at U.N. Conference Towards Ocean Conservation
Progress Made at U.N. Conference Towards Ocean Conservation
Over 20 new marine protected areas were established at the U.N. Ocean Conference, but experts warn that much more action is needed.
At the recent United Nations Ocean Conference held in Nice, France, countries announced the establishment of over 20 new marine protected areas (MPAs) as part of an ambitious goal to conserve 30 percent of the world's oceans by 2030. This initiative includes vast stretches of ocean, such as habitats in the Caribbean and around the coast of French Polynesia, effectively setting aside millions of acres for preservation.
Among the nations committing to new MPAs are Chile, Colombia, French Polynesia, Portugal, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, the Solomon Islands, Tanzania, and Vanuatu. Marine biologist Sylvia Earle emphasized at the conference that the growing interest in ocean protection is becoming a favorable trend, as she celebrated the creation of protected networks around regions like the Azores.
However, the announcements come amidst contrasting policies from some countries, notably the United States, which has expressed intentions to reopen the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument to commercial fishing and is moving towards allowing undersea mining in international waters. France, which co-hosted the conference alongside Costa Rica, advocated for a moratorium on deep-sea mining, securing support from four additional countries, which brings the total number in favor to 37.
The conference highlighted the urgent need for collaborative international efforts in marine conservation, as scientists stress that thousands more protected areas are needed to effectively safeguard marine ecosystems against the ongoing threats posed by human activity and climate change.
