At the recent U.N. Ocean Conference held in Nice, France, nations worldwide took a significant step toward marine conservation, announcing the creation of over 20 new marine protected areas. This initiative supports the ambitious goal of safeguarding 30 percent of the ocean by the year 2030.
Countries involved in this commitment include Chile, Colombia, Portuguese territories, French Polynesia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, the Solomon Islands, Tanzania, and Vanuatu. The newly designated areas aim to protect vital ecosystems such as coral reefs in the Caribbean and habitats for endangered species like sharks and rays in the Indian Ocean.
Marine biologist Sylvia Earle, former chief scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, noted that protecting the ocean is gaining prominence, highlighting growing global interest in marine conservation efforts.
However, the U.S. has faced criticism for its limited participation at the conference, sending only two observers, while simultaneously considering the reopening of the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument to commercial fishing. This move raises concerns in light of the current efforts to strengthen marine protections.
France, as a host nation alongside Costa Rica, has been a strong advocate for protecting the ocean, pushing for a moratorium on deep-sea mining. This week, four additional countries joined the cause, bringing the total number of nations supporting the moratorium to 37.
