Nice, France (AP) – Dozens of research and exploration vessels from around the world set sail right next to the French coastal city of Nice on Sunday to launch the Third Ocean Conference, paying tribute to World Marine Day.
The “Ocean Wonders”-themed event aimed at the beauty and importance of the ocean, urging world leaders not to lose sight of their value as the ship sails across Bear de Angels, or Angels Bay in Nice, making decisions about the future of the planet.
Thousands of delegates, including heads of state, scientists and environmental advocates, are expected to face the growing threat to the ocean this week and the need to turn the pledge into protection.
The United Nations calls it a global emergency and threat facing the global oceans as they face rising temperatures, plastic pollution that suffocates marine life, and merciless overselling fish and other resources.
Only 2.7% of the world’s oceans are effectively protected from destructive activities such as industrial fisheries and deep sea mining. This is well below the global target of 30% by 2030.
Participating boats included Energy Observer, a catamaran covered in solar panels, the first vessel to orbit the Earth using only renewable energy. It generates hydrogen fuel onboard the ship via seawater electrolysis, providing a vision for zero-emission marine travel.
Other outstanding ships included Alfred Merlin of France, dedicated to underwater archaeology. OceanXplorer is a research yacht owned by a high-tech billionaire. WWF’s Blue Pandas are working to map and protect the last sea grass pastures of the Mediterranean Sea.
At the heart of the conference is the driving force behind ratifying the High Sea Treaty, which was adopted in 2023. If it becomes effective, the treaty will allow the country for the first time to establish marine protected areas in international waters that cover nearly two-thirds of the ocean and are barely governed.
“The High Sea Treaty is important to ensure that the biodiversity of the sea can be protected,” said Rebecca Hubbard, director of the High Seas Alliance. “We are in the midst of a biodiversity and climate crisis. We must protect the oceans to deal with these crises.”
But even in waters already designated as protected, enforcement is often scarce. Many countries, including France, have faced criticism from environmental groups for weak regulations and ongoing industrial activities within marine protected areas.
“There’s no ambition, there’s no speed there. The scale wasn’t there,” said Sílvia Tavares, project manager for the Oceano Azul Foundation. “A moment like UNOC is the key to changing that.”
Some countries are expected to announce new marine reserves or MPAs during meetings. It also prohibits bottom trolls and other destructive activities within existing MPA networks.
The “Ocean Wonders” fleet will remain lovely and public until the meeting ends on June 13th.
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