“Brazil has signed the High Seas Treaty but has not yet ratified it. Sign our petition calling on the Brazilian Government to ratify the High Seas Treaty Now! The more signatures we gather, the greater our capacity for mobilization” – Sonia Violante Ptasznik, High Seas Youth Ambassador in Brazil.
By Sonia Violante Ptasznik
As a High Seas Youth Ambassador, one of my primary goals is to raise awareness among Brazilians on the importance of the High Seas and the direct impact our actions have on this critical ecosystem. To this end, one of my current initiatives involves the creation of a large-scale artistic mural designed to showcase the magnificence of marine biodiversity and highlight the vast richness of our ocean. Through this artwork, we emphasize the need to protect and advocate for the future of the High Seas.
The mural was created by the artist Huber Arte Marinha, who is considered one of the top ten marine artists in the world. It was displayed at the Santos Municipal Aquarium, located in one of Brazil’s most economically significant cities, which is home to the largest port in Latin America. The artwork holds considerable value, given that the aquarium is the most visited public park in the State of São Paulo, attracting around one million visitors annually.
Huber has been dedicated to advocating for marine environmental protection through art for 15 years, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of ocean conservation across Brazil. He considers art to be a fundamental tool due to its accessibility – particularly to younger audiences – and feels that it’s his duty to impart this knowledge to future generations. In this way, he believes he is contributing to the development of future ocean guardians. This campaign underscores the power of art as an effective and democratic means of communication.
Through my work as a Youth Ambassador, I aim to bring the Brazilian public closer to the High Seas through this mural, even if they may not come into direct contact with it. It’s about educating through art the urgency of fighting for a more sustainable future and encouraging everyone to play their part in creating a better world.
Furthermore, I deliver lectures on the topic of the High Seas across Brazil, including at universities and to Amazonian communities and youth organizations. In this context, one of the major challenges in Brazil is mobilizing the public authorities to enact legislation and enforcement actions to support the new High Seas Treaty to protect ocean life. The High Seas are the vast international waters located approximately 370km from the coast, which house about 95% of marine biodiversity. They play a crucial role in climate regulation, produce approximately 50% of the world’s oxygen, and capture about 25% of carbon dioxide. Unfortunately, only 1% of the High Seas are currently protected or highly protected, a situation that urgently needs to change, especially in the context of climate change and global warming.
Additionally, my campaigns involve various actions with other Brazilian institutions, including the Mantas do Brasil project, which involves creating social media posts and mobilizing youth. After a series of posts raising awareness about the importance of the High Seas and our impact on this ecosystem, we launched an artistic cultural competition. This initiative, in partnership with the High Seas Alliance, invites participants to design stickers that celebrate manta rays and the High Seas.
I am also collaborating with government officials, focusing primarily on the discharge of Brazilian rivers into the sea. One example is the partnership with the Environmental Secretariat of Belém to enhance actions in support of COP30. Furthermore, I am delivering lectures on the topic of the High Seas across Brazil, including at universities, Amazonian communities, and youth organizations. This way, we can mobilize a wide segment of the Brazilian population efficiently and remotely.
Currently, Brazil has signed the High Seas Treaty but has not ratified it. This situation needs to be addressed as soon as possible. To this end, we’re working to engage the Brazilian public to pressure our government and legislators. A petition in support of the High Seas Treaty has been created, and the more signatures we gather, the greater our capacity for mobilization.
It’s essential for everyone to assume their responsibility through small actions and the fight for a better future. Every bit of help makes a difference so please join us and spread the word!
Thank you.
Sonia Violante Ptasznik, aged 21, is an environmental technician and a student of Biological Sciences at the State University of São Paulo in Brazil. Since commencing her studies, she has spearheaded projects dedicated to oceanic well-being, particularly focused on rallying the youth in this noble cause. She currently represents Brazil as a High Seas Youth Ambassador.