Representatives from countries around the world and dozens of civil society organizations have gathered and are working around the clock at the UN headquarters in New York this week for negotiations “on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas outside national jurisdiction (BBNJ) .” The “BBNJ Agreement”, also referred to as the “High Seas Treaty”, is one of many important environmental negotiations to be concluded in the next four months. In addition to this treaty, we also hope to conclude one on the conservation and restoration of biodiversity, we are launching a two-year negotiation of an agreement to tackle the plastic pollution crisis, and are calling for the hard work of implementing the Paris Agreement now that we completed all “rules” for implementation at the meeting last November. The decisions we make in these agreements and negotiations will have a make or break impact on the health of the place we all call home.
The high seas span two-thirds of the ocean and cover half of the planet.
The first of these covers what is known as the high seas, which currently has only limited governance and is often not monitored. Currently, there are rules and regulations that only cover certain commercial activities such as fishing, dumping, seabed construction, and shipping – but there is no single international agreement on the conservation or protection of high marine biodiversity hotspots, and there are only limited regulations for threatens marine biodiversity itself – things like migratory birds, sea turtles, and marine mammals have limited protection. Here are 5 reasons why the BBNJ agreement is important.
It is often said that the ocean is too big to fall into. That’s simply not true – the ocean is more fragile than most people understand. It is also more essential. It provides the oxygen we breathe and food for tens of millions of people. And it was a source of inspiration for mankind. Indeed, as Dr. Jane Lubchenco says, the ocean is too big to ignore. And this week in New York City, the United States will help lead the way to ensure it is no longer ignored.
About the Author: Monica P. Medina was confirmed as Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs on September 28, 2021.
Is the high seas a country?
International waters, or the “high seas” as they are sometimes called, are the areas of the ocean that do not fall under the jurisdiction of any nation. They are beyond the reach of a nation, meaning no one “owns” them.
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How are the high seas governed?
Ships sailing the high seas are generally under the jurisdiction of the flag state (if there is one); but if a ship is involved in certain criminal acts, such as piracy, any nation may exercise jurisdiction under the doctrine of universal jurisdiction.
What law governs the use of seas? The Law of the Sea is a body of customs, treaties, and international agreements through which governments maintain order, productivity, and peaceful relations at sea. To see also : High-Tech Conversions adds cleaning capabilities with JNJ Industries acquisition. NOAA’s nautical charts provide the baseline that marks the inner boundary of the territorial sea and the outer boundary of internal waters.
Who has control over the high seas?
Every state, whether coastal or land-locked, has the right to sail ships that fly its flag on the high seas. On the same subject : How to travel with a dog: 20 products that make it easy. 1. Each state determines the conditions for granting its nationality to ships, for the registration of ships in its territory and for the right to fly its flag.
How are the oceans governed?
At the national level, ocean governance depends on an integrated management process within a state. Such processes depend on the commitment and cooperation of all government ministries with functions or authority related to ocean sectors.
Are the high seas regulated?
The International Seabed Authority, established in 1982 under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, is responsible for regulating human activities on the deep sea floor above the continental shelf.
Will there be fish in 2050?
The world will be able to catch an additional 10 million tons of fish in 2050 if management remains as effective as it is today, the report says. But increasing catches without significantly improving management risks the health of predator species and could destabilize entire ecosystems.
How many fish will be left in the ocean by 2050? The report projects that the oceans will contain at least 937 million tons of plastic and 895 million tons of fish by 2050.
Will we still have fish in 2040?
The takeaway. It is unlikely that the oceans will be empty of fish by 2048. Although experts disagree on the effectiveness of the Seaspiracy documentary in protecting the oceans, they all agree that overfishing is a major issue.
What will the ocean be like in 2050?
Industry experts expect that by 2050 we will produce three times as much plastic as today; on a volume basis, the WEF sees that by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans. Plastic pollution is not alone as an increasing threat to the world’s oceans.
What will happen to the fish in 2050?
Seafood could collapse by 2050, experts warn If current trends of overfishing and pollution continue, by 2050 the populations of almost all seafood will face collapse, defined as 90 percent depletion, warns a team of ecologists and economists in a study published in Friday’s issue of the journal Science.
