UN sounds alarm on ocean emergency, urges action against greed and pollution

New Delhi, Jun 11: As world leaders, scientists, and grassroots organisations gather on the Côte d’Azur for the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3), June 9-13, a clear message reverberates from the summit: the ocean is in crisis, and only urgent global cooperation can turn the tide. On the second day of the summit, UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a stark warning, calling on governments, corporations, and civil society to confront the destructive forces imperilling marine ecosystems, from rampant illegal fishing and plastic waste to the deepening consequences of climate change. “The ocean has given us so much. It is time we returned the favour,” he said, framing ocean conservation not as a choice, but as an obligation.

High Sea Treaty: A Treaty to Protect What Lies Beyond Borders

Central to the conference is the call for rapid ratification and implementation of the newly adopted High Seas Treaty, also known as the BBNJ treaty. Designed to safeguard biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, the agreement has yet to cross the threshold of 60 national ratifications required to enter into force. India, though a signatory, has yet to ratify. The treaty offers tools to establish protected marine areas, regulate resource extraction, and ensure equitable benefit-sharing, particularly for developing and landlocked nations. Adopted in 2023 by the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, the High Seas Treaty introduces sweeping protections for ocean regions outside national territories, home to vital ecosystems under increasing threat. The treaty’s 75 articles enshrine commitments to preserve marine life, assess environmental risks of industrial activities, and curb unsustainable practices such as overfishing and seabed mining.

While national waters remain under each country’s control, the treaty marks a step toward collective stewardship of the global commons, in line with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Pollution remains one of the most pressing threats. In 2021 alone, over 17 million metric tons of plastic entered the oceans, accounting for 85% of marine litter, according to the UN’s latest Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) report. Without decisive action, the volume of marine plastics is expected to double or triple by 2040. The treaty reflects the polluter-pays principle and obliges countries to assess the environmental impact of proposed activities in international waters. It also pushes for a global treaty on plastic pollution and the phase-out of single-use plastics, alongside improved recycling infrastructure.

With over one-third of global fish stocks now classified as overexploited, the treaty stresses the importance of sustainable fisheries management. It promotes regional collaboration, capacity building, and the transfer of marine technology, especially to poorer nations. Enhanced regulatory frameworks will be key to rebuilding fish populations and maintaining food security for millions who rely on the sea.

Climate change continues to heat oceans, raising sea levels, worsening storms, and altering salinity levels. The treaty offers a blueprint for integrated ocean governance to build resilience against these impacts. It advocates restoring ecosystems, preserving carbon-cycling processes, and protecting biodiversity. It also acknowledges the knowledge and rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities, whose lives and livelihoods are often directly tied to ocean health.

The treaty is seen as critical to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14, which targets the reduction of marine pollution, the end of overfishing, and the conservation of coastal and marine areas. It aligns with the broader ambitions of the 2030 Agenda, with implications for climate action, food security, and sustainable development.

Confronting the “Clear Enemy”: Greed

Guterres did not mince words about the underlying cause of marine degradation. “The clear enemy is greed,” he said, accusing vested interests of ignoring science, distorting truth, and destroying ecosystems for profit. “We cannot let greed dictate the fate of our planet.” He urged a united global response to resist these pressures. “Everyone has a role to play—from governments and corporations to fishers, scientists, and civil society,” he said. His four-point appeal includes:

Transforming ocean harvesting by shifting to sustainable practices and meeting the global target of conserving 30% of oceans by 2030.

Tackling plastic pollution by finalizing a global agreement and banning single-use plastics.

Fighting climate change through more ambitious national climate plans aligned with the 1.5°C goal.

Regulating deep-sea mining to prevent the deep ocean from becoming a lawless frontier.

Responding to growing concerns over unregulated deep-sea mining, Guterres reiterated his warning against turning the seabed into a “Wild West” of exploitation. He expressed strong support for the International Seabed Authority's efforts to establish rules for underwater mining and called for restraint and caution.