{"id":75788,"date":"2025-09-22T14:57:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T14:57:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/usa\/?p=75788"},"modified":"2025-09-22T14:57:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T14:57:12","slug":"nations-urged-to-immediately-start-work-on-high-seas-sanctuaries-as-historic-ocean-treaty-milestone-hit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/usa\/nations-urged-to-immediately-start-work-on-high-seas-sanctuaries-as-historic-ocean-treaty-milestone-hit\/","title":{"rendered":"Nations urged to immediately start work on high seas sanctuaries as historic Ocean Treaty milestone hit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A green turtle off Isabela Island, Gal\u00e1pagos, Ecuador.\n\nThe Arctic Sunrise is on a six-week expedition around the Gal\u00e1pagos islands, with scientists from the Jocotoco Conservation Foundation, the Charles Darwin Foundation, the Gal\u00e1pagos Science Center, MigraMar and Gal\u00e1pagos park rangers. The expedition will showcase the power of marine protection by documenting the success of the Gal\u00e1pagos Marine Reserve through the incredible wildlife and habitats of the sea near the Gal\u00e1pagos. Data collected during the expedition will help to make the case for a new high seas protected area.<\/figcaption>
\u00a9 Tommy Trenchard \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

NEW YORK (Sept. 19, 2025)<\/strong> \u2014 In a landmark moment for ocean protection, the Global Ocean Treaty reached its 60th ratification today as world leaders gather at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, clearing the way for the historic agreement to enter into force. But this crucial milestone must be met with urgent action from nations during the countdown to the world’s first Ocean Conference of Parties (COP).<\/p>\n\n

With only 0,9% of the High Seas<\/a> currently<\/a> fully or highly protected, the Treaty is crucial to expanding protection,  establishing sanctuaries that help mitigate the climate crisis, and safeguarding food security for the billions who depend on ocean resources. New analysis by Greenpeace International has revealed that to protect 30% of the high seas by 2030, Governments would need to protect more than 12 million km2 every year for the next five years. This area is bigger than the size of Canada.[1]<\/p>\n\n

Mads Christensen, Executive Director, Greenpeace International, said: <\/strong>\u201cThis is a landmark moment for protecting the ocean, and proof that countries can come together to protect our blue planet. The era of exploitation and destruction must end, and the Global Ocean Treaty is the tool to make that happen. But we must not get complacent. Scientists are clear that we need to protect at least 30% of our ocean by 2030, and time is running out. Governments around the world must use this time now to ensure the first historic Ocean COP becomes a turning point, and start to develop plans for the first-ever sanctuaries under the Treaty. Our ocean can\u2019t wait and neither can we.\u201d <\/p>\n\n

Campaigners are warning that immediate action is required from nations to start developing plans for high seas sanctuaries as time is running out to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030, a target Governments have already agreed to:<\/p>\n\n