The 3rd UN Ocean Conference in Nice ends today, Friday. In view of the difficult geopolitical environment, the fact that 193 states have once again met to discuss and negotiate global ocean governance can already be seen as a success. The conference demonstrated an honest commitment on the part of states to the protection and sustainable use of the oceans. At the same time, the outcome of the conference must now be measured by how ambitiously the member states implement the resolutions in national policy.
Marine protection
The conference gained particular momentum with the ratification of the UN Convention on Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdictions (BBNJ). Although the required number of 60 ratifications was not reached for the time being, it is considered certain that this target will be met by the UN General Assembly in September 2025. This would be an important political breakthrough for the protection of the high seas that has been sought for decades.
Franziska Saalmann from Greenpeace comments: "Environment Minister Carsten Schneider has promised a lot for marine protection. Now he can show that he is serious. Germany should ratify the BBNJ agreement as quickly as possible and push for its swift implementation: With clear funding commitments, proposals for protected areas and close international cooperation. Once the big stage in Nice has been dismantled, what counts is what happens in Berlin."
"At the same time, there is also an urgent need for improvements in the national marine protected areas. Bottom trawling in particular must finally be banned from these areas. The heavy nets destroy the seabed, catch a large number of unwanted creatures as bycatch and cause a lot of underwater noise. As Germany has joined the High Ambition Coalition for a Quieter Ocean, which was founded at the conference in Canada and Panama, we expect the German government to take ambitious steps to reduce the increasing underwater noise," says Bettina Taylor from BUND .
Deep-sea mining
The controversy surrounding possible future deep-sea mining was the second major topic to dominate the discussions in Nice. Although numerous states expressed their serious concerns about the exploitation of the deep sea, only four other countries joined the call for a moratorium. This means that a total of 37 countries are currently opposed to the start of deep sea mining.
Klaus Schilder from Misereor emphasises: "The negotiations of the International Seabed Authority taking place in July are still aimed at the start of industrial deep-sea mining, which endangers people's habitats and food sources. Together with our partner organisations in the affected countries, civil society organisations from Germany are calling on the German government to clearly reject deep-sea mining and to put an end to mining tests and technology funding worth millions."
"Deep-sea mining is a highly environmentally destructive new industrial exploitation of the oceans that threatens people and our environment in the Pacific. A new blue colonialism is taking place in the region. We call for more investment in global marine conservation and support for the respect of people's rights in the Pacific as in other regions," says Joey Tau of the Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG).
Food security and fisheries
The Ocean Conference has addressed the concerns and needs regarding the contribution of the oceans to food security and income in small-scale fisheries. However, there is a lack of concrete steps to curb illegal fishing and protect against rising sea levels.
Francisco Marí from Bread for the World says: "Coastal countries and island states in the Global South are up to their necks in water. Their fishing grounds and the coasts on which they live and feed themselves are disappearing."
"We are disappointed by the non-binding nature of the final declaration, because it lacks prospects for overcoming the impact of climate change on food and decent living conditions," says Gaoussou Gueye from the African Small-scale Fisheries Association.
"States and commercial enterprises are demanding that even more money and profits can be made from the oceans with a 'blue economy', even though the oceans are on the brink of irreversible tipping points," criticises Kai Kaschinski from Fair Oceans.
