This year, India has again suffered from extreme weather events causing too many casualties, meanwhile industrial overfishing, pollution and climate change impacts, such as rising sea levels and temperature, are dramatically affecting coastal fisheries and livelihoods.
Greenpeace India on Thursday welcomed India’s officially signing the Global Ocean Treaty, also known as the High Seas Treaty or Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). This milestone was achieved during the United Nations General Assembly yesterday in the New York time zone.
Greenpeace India said this was a “significant step forward in ocean conservation.”
Avinash Chanchal, Campaign Manager at Greenpeace India said: “By joining this historic effort, India has shown international leadership for marine biodiversity conservation as this new Treaty will allow the creation of large protected areas on the High Seas, beyond 200 nautical miles (or 370 kilometers) from the coastlines. Such large sanctuaries on the High Seas will support the recovery of marine life and increase its resilience to climate change. In return, a healthy Ocean is vital to protect the climate, and to support the livelihoods of millions of people in the region.”
The Global Ocean Treaty, adopted in June 2023, will enter into force when at least 60 governments have written it into their national law and, as of today, only 10 countries have completed the ratification process.
“India now needs to prioritize ratification of the Global Ocean Treaty and step forward as a regional driving force to implement bold measures for biodiversity protection and climate change mitigation”, says Avinash Chanchal.
This year, India has again suffered from extreme weather events causing too many casualties, meanwhile industrial overfishing, pollution and climate change impacts, such as rising sea levels and temperature, are dramatically affecting coastal fisheries and livelihoods. Oceans and Climate are connected and supporting one another. Our leaders need to understand it and start protecting ecosystems that can best mitigate climate change and secure a sustainable future for all. Protecting the wide Ocean with a Global Treaty to create large scale sanctuaries on the High Seas is a good start, and one within reach.
Now is the time to make history, said Chanchal. “Greenpeace India, is calling for the ratification of the Global Ocean Treaty to safeguard ocean biodiversity, support climate change mitigation and the future of the next generations,” said the Greenpeace India official in a press release.
