Author: Vienna Saccomanno
This blog was inspired by Dr. Les Watling’s discussion immediately following the recent meeting of the UN General Assembly.
30 August, 2016
HSA in the News
30 August, 2016
Source: HuffPost
Author: Thembile Joyini
As African States, we are fully cognisant of the contribution of oceans and seas to our development. In this regard, the far-reaching positive implications as well as the benefits of the BBNJ process will be understood and appreciated even more, now that we are standing at a juncture where ocean-based economic development is at the top of the agenda for many Governments.
30 August, 2016
Source: Greenpeace
Author: Magnus Eckeskog
Last Friday, US President Obama announced the creation of the world’s largest ocean sanctuary, and today governments from all over the world are meeting at the United Nations in New York to develop a new treaty to save our oceans. This is fantastic news for our blue planet. Two-thirds of the ocean sit outside national borders, called the ‘high seas’. In this area there is a lack of rules governing how it is protected, and as a result our oceans are suffering. Luckily, our governments are now about to change this situation meaning we could be on the verge of a massive step towards reviving our oceans.I am one of the lucky attendees at this UN meeting, along with colleagues and representatives from other NGOs and governments. Together we are fighting for ocean sanctuaries, large marine areas where fish, sharks, turtles and other marine life are allowed to be left in peace.
Continue reading 3 Big Reasons Why We Need Ocean Sanctuaries Now
30 August, 2016
Source: Virgin.com
Author: Karen Sack
Protecting the heath of the high seas is, literally, the biggest global challenge many people have never heard of. It’s therefore no surprise that hardly anyone realises that discussions taking place at the UN over the next two weeks will impact the future of the high seas, the entire global ocean, and therefore the planet. Because whether you live in a first world city by the sea, a land-locked country in the middle of Africa, a small island in the Pacific, or anywhere in between, these discussions affect you.
26 August, 2016
Source: HuffPost
Author: Lisa Speer
Late last year, nearly 200 nations came together in Paris to reach a critical global climate agreement. The Paris climate agreement demonstrated that the international community can come together and successfully tackle a grave environmental problem of global scope.
25 August, 2016
Cover photo by Anna Wangler on Unsplash
9 April, 2016
After two weeks of negotiations on a new marine biodiversity agreement, the first UN PrepCom has concluded on a very positive note. These negotiations are the first of four PrepCom sessions (each two weeks long) through the end of 2017, which will hopefully lead to a formal intergovernmental treaty conference in 2018.
5 April, 2016
Delegates, ocean advocates and defenders of the high seas gathered for a reception hosted by the High Seas Alliance, IUCN and the Bertarelli Foundation April 4th at UN Headquarters in New York City.Donna Bertarelli, of the Bertarelli Foundation, opened the evening by expressing her passion for the ocean and great concern at its rapid decline. She urged delegates that the time to protect the high seas is now and shared her hope that this treaty can quickly become a reality.
Continue reading HSA and Bertarelli Foundation Host High Seas Reception at UN
1 April, 2016
During the PrepCom meeting taking place at UN Headquarters from March 28-April 8, the High Seas Alliance held a side event for government representatives entitled “Governance Principles, EIAs, and Operationalization in the New Instrument.” The lunch-time event drew over 70 government representatives who gathered to hear an expert panel address key topics being addressed at the PrepCom negotiations. Moderated by Lisa Speer, Director of International Oceans Program at NRDC, panelists included David Freestone, Secretary of the Sargasso Sea Commission, Duncan Currie, International Legal Advisor, and Kristina Gjerde, IUCN Global and Marine Polar Programme.
Continue reading HSA Hosts PrepCom Side Event on Governance Principles and EIAs
22 March, 2016
States gathering at the United Nations (UN) in New York next week (28 March) will begin work towards an agreement to protect life in the high seas, closing some of the largest legal loopholes in the ocean.The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) was negotiated more than 30 years ago but did not address marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, leaving nearly two-thirds of the global ocean largely unprotected. The ocean is the largest biosphere on earth and a central component of the climate system; comprising approximately 75% of the ocean, the high seas provides ecosystem services that are critical to coastal areas and the planet as a whole.
Continue reading States Gather For Opening Of New Marine Biodiversity Treaty Negotiations