HSA Member Activities

An important piece of evidence came to light with this new study that reveals that albatross and large petrels, spend circa 40% of their time in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The study combined over ten thousand movement tracks from 5,775 birds to estimate the relative year-round importance of national jurisdictions and high seas areas for 39 species of albatross and large petrels.

The results show that the high seas constitute the most important at-sea area for these birds globally, and in every ocean basin, indicating that effective management of international waters is of common, global interest. The study also reveals that all species regularly cross into the waters of other countries, meaning that no single nation can adequately ensure their conservation. 

Continue reading Study finds high seas constitute critical at-sea area for albatross

Marine Conservation Institute hosts two data portals that allow users to view the extent and type of protection in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ): the High Seas Protection Portal and Marine Protection Atlas. The High Seas Protection Portal is an interactive map that shows fishery closures and open fishing areas within each regional fisheries management organization’s (RFMO’s) boundaries, deep-sea mining leases and areas of interest, modelled habitat suitability for key benthic taxa, marine designations such as Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs), and political boundaries. Users can also select layers and areas of interest and export these maps for reports or other communications.

Continue reading Explore Protection on the High Seas and Create Your Own Maps!

For the past year, Greenpeace ships have been voyaging across the Atlantic on a Pole to Pole expedition through the high seas, exposing the threats they are facing and campaigning for a strong Global Ocean Treaty that delivers real protection on the high seas. 

Continue reading Greenpeace Expedition: Pole to Pole

The Latin American region’s positive leadership has been tangible towards the final phase of the negotiation of a new legally binding BBNJ Treaty.

Continue reading High Seas Alliance in Latin America

“RISE UP – a blue call to action” was officially launched in February 2020 at the preparatory meeting for the UN Ocean Conference that will take place in Lisbon, Portugal from 2-6 June 2020. RISE UP has been developed over the past 6 months by a unique collaboration of globally active organizations, including the High Seas Alliance and a number of its members, Indigenous Peoples and Fisherfolk groups, and other ocean conservation organizations.
 

Continue reading RISE UP – A blue call to action

In June, Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE) convened a conference – A Global Agreement for the High Seas – to bring together scientific, legal, environmental and political expertise to discuss the BBNJ treaty process with key stakeholders from the United Kingdom (UK). With the UK set to leave the European Union, which negotiates as a bloc within the intergovernmental process, a strong, progressive stance from the UK government could bring a powerful new voice for high seas protection to the negotiations.

Continue reading Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE) – High Seas Conference