In the picturesque city of Nice, the third U.N. Ocean Conference commenced on Monday, with mounting calls for countries to transform their longstanding pledges into tangible measures for ocean conservation. French President Emmanuel Macron, in his keynote speech, emphasized the urgency of translating words into action to protect the world’s oceans. He highlighted that the struggle to preserve our oceans is a critical component of broader battles for biodiversity, climate, environmental integrity, and public health.
Currently, only 2.7% of the oceans receive effective protection from harmful extractive activities, as reported by the Marine Conservation Institute, a concerning statistic given the agreed “30×30” goal to preserve 30% of both land and sea by 2030. A key topic at the conference is the ratification of the High Seas Treaty, established in 2023. This treaty would empower nations to create marine protected zones in international waters, which span nearly two-thirds of the ocean and are largely unregulated.
Mauro Randone from the World Wildlife Fund’s Mediterranean Marine Initiative criticized the unregulated nature of international waters, likening it to the “Wild West” with unrestrained fishing. He stressed the necessity for establishing regulations, as these waters are a shared resource. Oceans play an essential role in climate stabilization and support life by producing half of the oxygen we breathe, absorbing 30% of carbon dioxide emissions, and capturing over 90% of the heat generated by those emissions. Without healthy oceans, global climate targets will remain unattainable.
The High Seas Treaty will become effective only after ratification by 60 countries, but only 32 have done so thus far. Proponents hope the conference will generate enough momentum to reach this milestone, enabling the first official Oceans Conference of Parties to take place. Minna Epps from the International Union for Conservation of Nature emphasized the importance of including high seas in the conservation effort, as they constitute two-thirds of the ocean’s expanse.
Despite backing from nations like South Korea, France, and the European Union, many major oceanic powers, particularly from the G20, have not yet endorsed the treaty. A significant turnout is anticipated in Nice, comprising delegates, leaders, scientists, and industry representatives. However, the United States has not yet confirmed its official participation.
Beyond new commitments, the summit also casts a spotlight on the chasm between declared marine protections and their real-world implementation. Although France touts surpassing the 30% target for marine conservation, environmental groups argue only a slim 3% of its waters are genuinely protected from destructive activities like bottom trawling. In 2024, reports indicated over 100 trawling vessels spent approximately 17,000 hours fishing in France’s six marine nature parks. Some critics label these areas “paper parks” due to their lack of meaningful enforcement.
Fabien Boileau, from France’s Office for Biodiversity, acknowledged this issue but explained it was part of a strategic approach aimed at gradually strengthening protections through local governance. Comparatively, the conservation successes of Port-Cros National Park showcase the benefits of effective marine protection. Established in 1963, the park exemplifies robust conservation where marine life thrives in the absence of human interference. However, such examples are infrequent, with industrial fishing resistance hampering broader conservation efforts.
Environmental advocates argue that stronger management of marine reserves benefits fisheries in the long run, supporting ecological balance through the natural spillover of flourishing marine life. Peter Thomson, U.N. special envoy for the ocean, reiterated the urgency, asserting that a healthy planet is unachievable without healthy oceans. The conference aims to crystallize discussions around blue finance, sustainable fisheries, and combating plastic pollution into the Nice Ocean Action Plan, a declaration set for adoption by consensus and presentation at the United Nations later this year.