MOMBASA, Kenya (AP) – African and Commonwealth countries on Tuesday called for swift implementation. groundbreaking treaty He warned that despite record efforts to protect the high seas and protect the oceans, much of the world’s ocean protection still exists on paper.
The call to action was announced at the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa. It is the first time that an African country has hosted this major annual event, which focuses on addressing critical ocean issues such as climate change, biodiversity and pollution.
The conference is attended by hundreds of representatives from Africa, the United States, the European Union, and climate-sensitive Caribbean and Pacific island nations, with leaders seeking to position Africa as a force for global ocean governance.
In his opening remarks at the Commonwealth Maritime Ministers’ Roundtable, former US Secretary of State John Kerry said of the High Seas Treaty, which entered into force in January: After ratification by 60 countriesmarks a historic turning point by creating the first legal mechanism for establishing protected areas on the high seas.
But he warned that progress remains too slow.
“This year, 10% of the ocean will be protected,” Kelly said. “This is worth marking, but only 3% is highly protected or fully protected, and the rest of the protection is unfortunately just a line on a map.”
Kelly said industrial fishing fleets continue to exploit the oceans, with some vessels operating thousands of miles from home and using giant nets that capture marine life indiscriminately.
Noting that important decisions on the future of the treaty will be taken next year, he urged countries to “ratify it if they have not already done so and start implementing it immediately.”
The treaty, officially known as the Agreement on Biological Diversity Beyond National Jurisdiction, aims to help countries meet the global goal of protecting 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030.
Kenya’s Cabinet Minister for Maritime Affairs Hassan Joho said the government now needs to move from promises to concrete action.
“The purpose of this roundtable is not to restate ambition, but to translate those commitments into tangible results for our communities, economies and oceans,” Joho said.
Mr. Joho noted that since 2014, the One Ocean Conference has generated more than 2,900 pledges worth more than $169 billion. The challenge is to translate them into effective management of marine ecosystems, he said.
The Commonwealth’s 56 member states together hold 36% of the world’s maritime jurisdiction and almost half of the world’s coral reefs, giving the Union unique responsibilities in protecting marine resources.
Meanwhile, Africa is increasingly positioning itself as a leader in marine conservation.
Mr Kerry praised African countries for championing transboundary marine protection, pointing to the commitment of eight Gulf of Guinea countries to sustainably manage all their waters by 2030.
“Regions that have long been said to be victims of maritime exploitation are now choosing to take the lead instead,” he said.
The East African country is adopting integrated coastal management plans, expanding marine protected areas and stepping up efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Its 640 kilometers (400 miles) of coastline and vast exclusive economic zone support fishing, tourism, and other sectors that support the livelihoods of millions of people.
As negotiations continue in Mombasa, participants say the coming months will be critical in determining whether the new treaty will be a transformative measure for ocean protection or another international promise that will never be fulfilled.
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This article corrects the international date line to Mombasa instead of Nairobi.
