The extent of the damage that has been done to our oceans may never be fully quantified. Over too many years, oceans have been dragged by fishing nets, mined and polluted, carelessly destroying reefs and habitats for countless species. Protecting our oceans stretches beyond the reach of local governments. But we need to find a way to work together.
Recently, more than 200 nations did just that. They banded together by signing an agreement to protect our oceans (https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-64815782). The High Seas Treaty, as it is called, is aimed at preventing over-fishing and sea mining by. The “high seas” refer to the nearly two thirds of the world’s oceans that are considered international waters.
The treaty will serve to protect our oceans by preventing activity unless it is aligned with conservation efforts. Moreover, environmental impact assessments will be required with bids for deep sea activity such as mining. The treaty will not prevent nefarious activities, but it is a start.
Our oceans are important. They provide us with a significant offset for carbon emissions. Marine flora and fauna contribute to a unique and vast ecosystem—the most diverse ecosystem in the world. But over-fishing and sea mining are putting many marine plants and animals at risk for extinction. Marine biodiversity decline is disturbing delicate balances that keep our oceans healthy.
Keeping our oceans healthy may seem beyond us—and, in many ways, it is. However, the High Seas Treaty underscores that big impact can come from individual actors working together.