Petition

Protect the Ocean by Supporting the High Seas Treaty

196,402 signatures. Let’s get to 200K

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
item?.flag flag
Oana A

je signe parce qu’on doit sauver les oceans ainsi que ces animaux marins

11 hours ago
item?.flag flag
Anessa B

The ocean needs a representative to fight for them and I am one of them. Every human should be taught the importance of the ocean and it's roll in kee…

3 days ago
item?.flag flag
cindy c

please protect our oceans and ocean life

3 days ago
item?.flag flag
Christine U

This is exactly what we need!

3 days ago
item?.flag flag
michael b

i believe we need to save the ocean

1 week ago
item?.flag flag
Martin O

marty

1 week ago
item?.flag flag
Tomasz G

High Seas is very important for the climate

2 weeks ago
item?.flag flag
Sherilynne D

I love the Earth! Our precious emerald and sapphire planet is suffering at our hands. Just as our intelligence and ingenuity developed the industries…

2 weeks ago
item?.flag flag
Rosie D

our seas are after All ours, let's take a little care & kindness

2 weeks ago
item?.flag flag
Daniele A

Si ce traité voit le jour et est suivi d'effets il pourrait sauver le monde des humains.

2 weeks ago
item?.flag flag
Elizabeth V

we need to save our beautiful planet and the precious animals and ourselves!!

2 weeks ago
item?.flag flag
Joanna P

i want plastics and other pollutants out of common waters to protect the food chain

2 weeks ago
item?.flag flag
Karen W

We are losing sea life at an unprecedented rate due to over fishing and pollution and lack of protections combined. Please help save our oceans which…

2 weeks ago
item?.flag flag
Susan O

To protect our ocean life

3 weeks ago
item?.flag flag
Philippa M

the sea needs us

3 weeks ago
item?.flag flag
Susanne B

our future depends on the sea

3 weeks ago
item?.flag flag
Natasha R

It's only right, we will destroy our waters if there is not some kind restriction, it has to stop or we as a hole will ruin our world.

3 weeks ago
item?.flag flag
Audrey F

we need the Ocean to live

3 weeks ago
item?.flag flag
Lynn H

i want to help and spread awareness, people need to release, we need the oceans heslthy so the spicies that life their thrive , healthy waters healthy…

3 weeks ago
item?.flag flag
Mary V

i care

3 weeks ago
item?.flag flag
Fionnuala H

The ocean is a precious resource and needs to be protected!!

3 weeks ago
item?.flag flag
Liam G

it is the right thing to do.

3 weeks ago
item?.flag flag
Julia A

Save our dying oceans

3 weeks ago
item?.flag flag
Aoife K

we only have one chance

3 weeks ago
item?.flag flag
Noreen F

I Want to save the Oceans

3 weeks 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