NICE,FRANCE : Governments have been urged to take urgent action to protect the world’s oceans from mounting environmental threats, including plastic pollution, overfishing, ocean warming and destructive seabed activities.
Ahead of the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3), scheduled to begin in Nice on June 9, 2025, scientists and conservation experts called for stronger international cooperation, effective implementation of marine protection agreements and increased funding for ocean restoration.
The five-day conference was co-hosted by France and Costa Rica and aimed to accelerate global efforts to conserve marine ecosystems and promote the sustainable use of ocean resources.
According to a report published by Reuters’ Ethical Corporation Magazine on June 3, only a small proportion of the world’s oceans is fully protected against destructive activities such as bottom trawling and seabed mining.Ocean warming, driven by climate change, is contributing to rising sea levels and coral bleaching. Increasing carbon dioxide levels are also making seawater more acidic, threatening marine organisms and ecosystems.
Experts have warned that plastic pollution and overfishing are adding further pressure on marine life, while poorly regulated industrial activities risk causing long-term damage to the ocean floor.
The High Seas Treaty, formally known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, was identified as a key instrument for protecting marine biodiversity in international waters.
At the time of the report, 28 countries had ratified the agreement, while 60 ratifications were required for it to enter into force.Another major concern is bottom trawling, a fishing method in which heavy nets are dragged across the seabed. Conservation experts warn that the practice can damage marine habitats, capture unwanted species and disturb carbon stored in ocean sediments.
The report also highlighted the need to reduce harmful fisheries subsidies and increase investment in marine protected areas. Sustainable financing initiatives, including blue bonds and other ocean-focused investments, could help support conservation projects and coastal communities.
Small island developing states and other vulnerable coastal countries face particular challenges because of their exposure to climate change and limited access to investment for marine protection.
The conference was expected to bring governments, scientists, environmental organizations and investors together to discuss practical measures to protect marine biodiversity and advance a sustainable blue economy.
Experts stressed that international agreements must be translated into effective action if countries are to safeguard ocean ecosystems for future generations.
Reported By: Mirza Maqbool Baig I Guider News
