Navigating the Future: Key Topics on Money, Mining, and Marine Parks at the UN Ocean Summit

NICE, France — This week, world leaders are gathering in Nice for the UN Ocean Conference to tackle what’s been described as a global emergency for our oceans. The goal? To unite and take real action for our stressed seas.

Countries will be announcing new marine conservation zones, but scrutiny will follow. Just how protected will these areas be? Many nations have lax regulations regarding their waters. For example, France and other EU countries still permit destructive fishing practices like bottom trawling in protected zones. As a result, only about three percent of the oceans are truly safe, which falls far short of the target to conserve 30 percent by 2030.

Another key issue is the recent high seas treaty. Signed in 2023, this landmark agreement aims to safeguard marine life outside national jurisdictions. France planned to use this conference to secure the 60 ratifications needed to enact the treaty. As of now, they only have around 30. Countries yet to ratify will face questions about their commitments during the conference.

France is also working to rally support for a ban on deep-sea mining. This practice is controversial; 33 nations oppose it due to the limited understanding we have of deep-sea ecosystems. Recently, social media has been flooded with discussions about the potential harms of seabed mining, with many calling for a pause until we know more. This issue is especially timely as the International Seabed Authority prepares for a meeting in July to create regulations for this emerging sector.

At the conference’s conclusion, countries will adopt a political statement recognizing the ocean’s crisis and the need for action. Some critics feel the document lacks substance, particularly regarding fossil fuels. However, others believe the real focus should be on the commitments made by individual governments. Peter Haugan from Norway’s Institute of Marine Research emphasized that the conference’s value lies not just in the final declaration but in the actionable promises made.

Unlike a typical UN treaty negotiation, the decisions made at this conference are voluntary and not legally binding. Still, there’s pressure for nations to contribute financially to ocean conservation. Pauli Merriman from WWF International highlighted a significant funding gap that needs to be filled. “Good intentions aren’t enough anymore,” she stated. Countries will need to step up with both financial resources and concrete plans.

The stakes are high, and the world is watching. These discussions could shape the future of our oceans and, ultimately, our planet’s health.

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