Protecting the High Seas

Scientists are now calling for us to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030. The marine community thinks this is necessary AND doable. To do this, we will need to have protections for parts of the vast open ocean. This huge area is called the high seas.

The high seas are all the ocean that is not within a country’s controlled economic zone. This economic zone stretches 200 miles out from every country’s coast. Beyond that are the high seas which encompass 61% of the ocean.

High seas marine life drives the ocean’s biological pump, capturing carbon at the surface and storing it deep below – without this essential service, our atmosphere would contain 50% more carbon dioxide and increase warming exponentially.

The high seas are called the ‘Wild West’ of ocean conservation, because a dismal ½ of 1 percent are protected. Thankfully, for the first time in history, the UN is in the final stretch of drafting a legally binding treaty to increase protection and reform management of the high seas.

It is a big lift, but there is strong commitment from hundreds of delegates and determination to get, at least, a basic agreement in place by this year. I’m doing what I can to help several organizations keep the pressure on and make this conservation effort, a reality.

As of April 2020, UN negotiations have been temporarily postponed due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, but will hopefully resume immediately when health distancing restrictions are eased.