UPDATE: Australia is facing mounting pressure to ratify the High Seas Treaty following a crucial milestone that could reshape marine conservation. The treaty, which aims to safeguard 30 percent of the world’s oceans by 2030, received its final approval with Morocco becoming the 60th nation to sign on Friday. This pivotal moment means the treaty will officially take effect in January 2024.
Activists and environmentalists are calling for immediate action, emphasizing that while Australia was a founding signatory of the treaty in 2023, it has yet to finalize its commitment. Elle Lawless, campaigner for Greenpeace Australia Pacific, expressed disappointment at the delay, stating, “Today is a global win but a domestic disappointment.” This treaty is essential for establishing marine sanctuaries that protect threatened species and support fish stocks vital for food security.
The High Seas Treaty lays the groundwork for creating marine sanctuaries in international waters, a critical step in combating the climate crisis. Currently, less than 1 percent of the high seas are fully protected, highlighting the urgency of expanding these protections. Lawless stressed the significance of the treaty, stating, “The ocean needs a life buoy, and the Australian government is holding one in the treaty.”
Despite the treaty being tabled in June 2024, the Australian government has yet to ratify it due to pending federal legislation. The treaty must be considered by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties before it can be enacted. The current status of this legislation remains unclear, but Greenpeace is advocating for swift action, urging Australia to propose ocean sanctuaries in the South Tasman Sea and Lord Howe Rise, areas recognized by the UN for their biological significance.
Lawless warned, “It’s not too late. Australia hasn’t missed the boat but had better start swimming if it’s to catch up.” The pressure is on the federal government to act decisively, as the global community takes significant strides toward protecting marine ecosystems.
This urgent call to action resonates not only within Australia but globally, as nations rally to preserve the ocean’s biodiversity. The next few months will be crucial in determining whether Australia will step up and fulfill its promise to lead on this vital environmental issue.
