Petition

Protect the Ocean by Supporting the High Seas Treaty

200,620 signatures. Let’s get to 225K

Update: On June 19th, 2023, global delegates formally adopted the High Seas treaty in New York. Once 60 countries have ratified the treaty, it will be entered into force and become international law.

Today, nearly half the planet is unprotected and vulnerable to exploitation.

This ocean area that lies outside of any country’s jurisdiction is known as the High Seas and covers over 60 percent of the ocean. This global commons is critical to the health of the entire ocean.

It is one of the largest reservoirs of biodiversity on the planet and is a crucial component in several of the Earth’s systems and cycles, providing a multitude of ecosystem services. Many species, such as whales, tunas, sharks, and turtles spend much of their lives traveling along the highways of the High Seas to feeding, spawning, and breeding grounds. 

The bottlenose dolphin is a common sight in coastal waters around the world, but it also maintains large populations offshore · Jorge Cervera Hauser
From the biggest and smallest marine species to humans all over the globe, all life depends on healthy High Seas now and into the future · Jorge Cervera Hauser

But despite its size and importance, only 1.2% of the High Seas have been protected, because it lacks clear rules to establish protected areas leaving its marine life vulnerable to exploitation.

Human-related threats include unsustainable and illegal fishing, shipping traffic, noise pollution, seabed mining, plastic and chemical pollution, and acidifying and warming waters as a result of the climate crisis.

Rare sea lions are among the tens of species at risk of being injured or killed by these huge driftnets · Howard Hall
Shawn Heinrichs
Howard Hall

Following nearly 20 years of discussions at the United Nations, governments are in the final stages of negotiating a new United Nations Treaty that would ensure the meaningful protection of ocean life found in this great global commons. This will be a key step towards moving the planet closer to the goal of protecting at least 30 percent of the ocean by 2030, the minimum level of protection scientists recommend for a healthy ocean.

Add your name to urge your government and other world leaders to take action and support a strong High Seas Treaty and help build momentum by sharing the campaign on Facebook and Twitter.
Supporters
Jack S

I want see a healthy ocean.

1 day ago
Matthew K

our seas dying means we die

2 days ago
Joanne M

Because I care

4 days ago
Martha W

We have to protect the oceans or we will not be able to continue living on this planet.

5 days ago
Linda P

I care

2 weeks ago
Sanna G

Because we need to take action

2 weeks ago
Serenity K

I cate about our planet, and want her to be healthy.❤

3 weeks ago
Patricia G

I am concerned about the state of our environment

3 weeks ago
Paul W

I believe that it is vital to protect our oceans for the continued existence of our planet as we know it and all the life forms on it.

3 weeks ago
Marjorie H

I am doing my part

3 weeks ago
Kathleen B

This is too important to ignore.

3 weeks ago
Elisabeth M

il est important de priteger ce quii se trouve dans l ocsan.

3 weeks ago
Alan L

All life deserves to live without oppression and fear from those who will destroy those lives for profits.

3 weeks ago
Kerryn L

we have to do everything we can to ensure respect of our planet

3 weeks ago
gisella m

we must protect our planet instead of ruining it

4 weeks ago
Cynthia E

I want to see the High Seas Treaty enacted.

1 month ago
Henrik A

I think supporting our oceans is crucial in allowing ourselves and every other species on the planet to survive happily and healthily for the years to…

1 month ago
LaSonja H

Im Human !

1 month ago
Devin P

its important.

1 month ago
Huguette M

horrible. STOP

1 month ago
Ann B

We must protect the oceans for wildlife and future generations!

1 month ago
Maria T

….without life in the ocean there is no life for us

2 months ago
Katharina R

if all the fishes in the ocean die (including whales and dolphins and sharks, like all of them), then the ocean dies. And if the ocean dies, we die.

2 months ago
Sierra J

i care

2 months ago
Nika K

потому,что хочу помочь востановить экосистему земли.God bless all of us 🤝🏼💌

2 months ago
Add your name
Share this campaign

10 free trees if you sign up today

Save the planet every month with our membership

Grow your own forests and reefs

Remove plastic and carbon pollution

See your impact in a personal dashboard

Invite friends to plant with you

100% of funds go to projects