In just a few weeks time, the UN General Assembly will begin its 69th session. Why is this important? Government representatives from around the world will gather to discuss the future of the ocean and how it should be governed. At the June 2012 Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio-20) governments committed to address on an urgent basis key issues surrounding conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in those areas that fall outside of any one government’s national jurisdiction — the portion that belongs to all of us. We all have a shared concern in how these areas are managed and protected, and after many years of discussion at the UN, this is the year that governments have committed to make a decision. But we need your help.
28 August, 2014
15 July, 2014
The High Seas Alliance welcomes the entry into force of the Nagoya Protocol, which provides a transparent legal framework for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources from within countries.
Continue reading HSA Welcomes Entry into Force of Access and Benefit Sharing Treaty
24 June, 2014
Source: Huffpost
Author: Sigourney Weaver
Author: Sigourney Weaver
My love of the oceans started early. My father was a Navy man, and he insisted our family live near a body of saltwater at all times. I was raised listening to foghorns by night and following horseshoe crabs by day.
Continue reading For the Ocean’s Sake, Tame the High Seas ‘Wild West’
24 June, 2014
The Global Ocean Commission, made up of former Heads of State, Government ministers and prominent business leaders, has spent 18 months investigating the decline of the global ocean and has developed a rescue package of eight proposals to restore and protect its natural capital and services. The proposals are the culmination of exhaustive deliberations and extensive consultation with experts and stakeholders to inform and shape these proposals.
19 June, 2014
On Wednesday, June 18, the High Seas Alliance showcased a visual journey of the high seas with photographs by leading marine photojournalists generously provided by the International League of Conservation Photographers. Moderated by Lisa Speer, Director of the International Oceans Program at Natural Resources Defense Council, the panel included Charlotte Vick, Mission Blue and Google Earth “Explore the Ocean” curator, Dr. Kirsten r, Ph.D., Marine Ecologist at Oregon State University, and Kristina Gjerde, IUCN Global Marine and Polar Programme.
Continue reading BBNJ Side Event Showcased “Living Treasures of the High Seas” in support of MPAs
16 June, 2014
The UN Working Group’s BBNJ meeting is taking place at the United Nations headquarter in New York from June 16-19. At this second intersessional meeting, governments are deciding whether to launch a new agreement to conserve and protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. See statements made by High Seas Alliance, IUCN, Greenpeace, WWF, and Natural Resources Defense Council.
28 May, 2014
The Jamaican government, in collaboration with the High Seas Alliance and Pew Charitable Trusts, hosted a regional workshop for CARICOM from 19-21 May in Kingston, Jamaica to consider a new implementing agreement under UNCLOS on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction.
Continue reading Caribbean Countries Consider Implementing Agreement at Regional Workshop
15 May, 2014
The High Seas Alliance and Deep Sea Conservation Coalition member organizations urge United States Secretary Kerry’s Our Ocean Conference to include a discussion of a new implementing agreement for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction, presently being considered at the United Nations.
Continue reading Statement on the Occasion of the Our Ocean Conference
4 April, 2014
On the final day of this week’s UN Working Group meeting to discuss ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) the High Seas Alliance was encouraged by the majority of world governments voicing their support for a high seas biodiversity agreement.
4 April, 2014
On the third day of the UN BBNJ meeting the High Seas Alliance continued to participate in discussions with States as they debated points of support and concern around feasibility of a high seas biodiversity implementing agreement.
Continue reading High Seas Alliance Debates with States at UN BBNJ Meeting on Day 3