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Ambitious plan to save the world’s oceans

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Countries pledge to raise $12 bln to help coral

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Vessel pulls 25,000 pounds of plastic from ocean

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Fukushima wastewater released into the ocean

Switzerland%2C%20a%20global%20commodities%20trading%20hub%2C%20decided%20Wednesday%20to%20push%20for%20a%20moratorium%20on%20commercial%20exploitation%20of%20the%20international%20seabed%20area%2C%20which%20has%20enormous%20mineral%20resources.%0A%0ABern%20said%20deep-sea%20mining%20in%20the%20area%20%22must%20be%20postponed%22%20until%20protection%20from%20the%20%22harmful%20effects%22%20could%20be%20ensured.%0A%0ASwitzerland%20will%20%22support%20a%20moratorium%20on%20commercial%20exploitation%20of%20the%20area%20until%20there%20is%20more%20scientific%20knowledge%20of%20its%20impact%20and%20protection%20of%20the%20marine%20environment%20can%20be%20guaranteed%22%2C%20the%20government%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%0A%0AWildlife%20conservation%20group%20WWF%20said%2C%20%22Switzerland%20is%20sending%20an%20important%20signal%20for%20the%20protection%20of%20the%20oceans%20and%20their%20biodiversity%22.%0A%0AMeanwhile%20the%20Swiss-based%20International%20Union%20for%20Conservation%20of%20Nature%20said%20it%20was%20%22fantastic%20news%20on%20deep%20sea%20mining%22.%0A%0AGreenpeace%20called%20it%20a%20%22success%20for%20the%20oceans%22.%0A%0ASwitzerland%20will%20take%20its%20position%20to%20the%2028th%20session%20of%20the%20International%20Seabed%20Authority%20in%20Jamaica's%20capital%20Kingston%20next%20month.%0A%0AThe%20ISA%20organizes%20and%20controls%20all%20mineral%20resources-related%20activities%20in%20the%20international%20seabed%2C%20outside%20national%20territorial%20jurisdiction%2C%20%22for%20the%20benefit%20of%20all%20humankind%22%2C%20it%20says.%0A%0AIt%20is%20mandated%20to%20ensure%20the%20effective%20protection%20of%20the%20marine%20environment%20from%20the%20potentially%20harmful%20consequences%20of%20seabed%20extraction%20operations.%0A%0AThe%20deep%20seabed%20covers%20around%2054%20percent%20of%20the%20total%20area%20of%20the%20world's%20ocean%20floor.%0A%0A%22There%20is%20growing%20interest%20from%20certain%20states%20and%20companies%20who%20wish%20to%20commercially%20exploit%20the%20area's%20mineral%20resources%2C%20which%20are%20potentially%20useful%20for%20the%20transition%20to%20renewable%20energy%2C%22%20the%20Swiss%20government%20said.%0A%0A%22Minerals%20such%20as%20cobalt%20and%20manganese%20are%20needed%20to%20manufacture%20electric%20vehicle%20batteries%2C%22%20it%20added.%0A%0AHowever%2C%20most%20ISA%20member%20states%20think%20no%20commercial%20seabed%20mining%20should%20be%20allowed%20before%20regulations%20are%20in%20place%2C%20it%20said.%0A%0ASome%2015%20countries%20have%20gone%20further%20and%20are%20opposed%20to%20any%20commercial%20use%20of%20the%20area%2C%20with%20or%20without%20regulations%2C%20Bern%20added.%0A%0ASwitzerland%20is%20a%20stronghold%20for%20commodity%20trading.%20It%20is%20home%20to%20large%20companies%20like%20Glencore%E2%80%94active%20in%20coal%2C%20metals%20and%20oil%E2%80%94or%20firms%20like%20Vitol%20or%20Trafigura%2C%20based%20in%20Singapore%20but%20with%20a%20large%20operations%20center%20in%20Geneva.%0A%0AWith%20a%20net%20profit%20of%20%2417.3%20billion%20in%202022%2C%20Glencore%20is%20a%20juggernaut%20in%20the%20brokerage%20of%20metals%2C%20such%20as%20copper%2C%20zinc%2C%20nickel%20or%20cobalt.

Switzerland for deep-sea mining moratorium

The%20federal%20and%20Queensland%20governments%20will%20phase%20out%20commercial%20gillnet%20fishing%20in%20the%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%20world%20heritage%20area%20by%20mid-2027%20and%20create%20new%20net-free%20zones%20to%20better%20protect%20endangered%20marine%20species.%0A%0AThe%20environment%20minister%2C%20Tanya%20Plibersek%2C%20announced%20the%20%24160m%20plan%20Monday%20afternoon%20and%20said%20it%20would%20significantly%20reduce%20net%20fishing%20and%20high-risk%20fishing%20on%20the%20reef%20that%20injure%20and%20kill%20threatened%20dugongs%2C%20turtles%2C%20dolphins%20and%20protected%20shark%20species.%0A%0APlibersek%20will%20also%20ask%20the%20Queensland%20government%20to%20declare%20the%20hammerhead%20shark%20a%20%E2%80%9Cno-take%E2%80%9D%20species%20for%20commercial%20fishers%20in%20Queensland%20waters%2C%20something%20long%20called%20for%20by%20oceans%20campaigners.%0A%0APart%20of%20the%20funding%20will%20be%20used%20to%20buy%20out%20gillnet%20licences%2C%20with%20the%20majority%20of%20gillnets%20to%20be%20removed%20by%20the%20end%20of%20this%20year%20and%20a%20total%20ban%20by%20mid-2027.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20know%20one%20of%20the%20most%20immediate%20threats%20to%20health%20of%20reef%20is%20unsustainable%20fishing%20practices.%20It%20causes%20damage%20throughout%20the%20reef%2C%20as%20threatened%20marine%20life%20like%20dugongs%2C%20turtles%20and%20dolphins%20are%20caught%20in%20nets%20and%20drown%2C%E2%80%9D%20Plibersek%20said.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20removal%20of%20gillnets%20in%20net-free%20zones%20on%20the%20reef%20has%20already%20helped%20boost%20local%20fish%20populations.%20We%20want%20to%20see%20this%20happen%20right%20across%20the%20reef.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20money%20will%20also%20fund%20the%20creation%20of%20new%20net-free%20zones%20in%20the%20northern%20third%20of%20the%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%20and%20parts%20of%20the%20Gulf%20of%20Carpentaria%2C%20accelerate%20the%20implementation%20of%20a%20sustainable%20fisheries%20strategy%20and%20mandate%20the%20use%20of%20independent%20data%20validation%20on%20commercial%20fishing%20vessels.%0A%0AA%20phase-out%20of%20gillnets%20and%20an%20accelerated%20rollout%20of%20a%20sustainable%20fisheries%20strategy%20were%20among%20recommendations%20of%20a%20report%20from%20a%20UN-backed%20mission%20to%20the%20reef%20that%20concluded%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20biggest%20coral%20reef%20system%20should%20be%20placed%20on%20a%20list%20of%20world%20heritage%20sites%20in%20danger.%0A%0AThe%20announcement%20comes%20after%20a%20long%20campaign%20by%20conservation%20groups%20for%20an%20end%20to%20gillnet%20fishing%20on%20the%20reef.%20The%20nets%2C%20which%20can%20measure%20more%20than%20a%20kilometre%20in%20length%2C%20are%20used%20to%20catch%20fish%20such%20as%20barramundi%20and%20mackerel%20but%20can%20also%20entangle%2C%20injure%20and%20kill%20other%2C%20endangered%20species.%0A%0AWWF-Australia%2C%20which%20campaigned%20for%20seven%20years%20for%20an%20end%20to%20commercial%20gillnet%20fishing%2C%20said%20it%20was%20a%20%E2%80%9Cglobally%20significant%20moment%20for%20ocean%20conservation%2C%20fisheries%20management%20and%20the%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%E2%80%9D.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIf%20all%20goes%20to%20plan%2C%20by%20June%202027%20we%E2%80%99ll%20have%20a%20net-free%20reef%20where%20dugongs%2C%20turtles%2C%20dolphins%20and%20other%20threatened%20species%20can%20swim%20without%20the%20threat%20of%20becoming%20entangled%20and%20drowning%20in%20a%20gill%20net%2C%20and%20that%E2%80%99s%20a%20cause%20for%20global%20celebration%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20chief%20executive%2C%20Dermot%20O%E2%80%99Gorman%2C%20said.%0A%0AThe%20Australian%20Marine%20Conservation%20Society%20said%20%E2%80%9Cpermanently%20removing%20these%20devastating%20nets%20will%20help%20populations%20of%20threatened%20species%20to%20recover%E2%80%9D.%0A%0AThe%20AMCS%20has%20for%20years%20called%20for%20better%20protection%20for%20threatened%20hammerhead%20sharks%2C%20including%20the%20endangered%20scalloped%20hammerhead%20shark%2C%20and%20welcomed%20the%20decision%20to%20have%20hammerheads%20declared%20a%20no-take%20species.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20ongoing%20capture%20of%20endangered%20hammerheads%20for%20meat%20and%20fins%20has%20long%20been%20out%20of%20step%20with%20protecting%20and%20recovering%20threatened%20species%20in%20the%20reef%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20chief%20executive%2C%20Darren%20Kindleysides%20said.

Gill net fishing be banned on Great Barrier Reef

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0future%2C%20a%20freely-available%20web%20app%20that%20can%20allow%20conservation%20practitioners%2C%20scientists%2C%20and%20resource%20managers%20to%20remotely%2C%20quickly%2C%20and%20inexpensively%20monitor%20aspects%20of%20reef%20health%20using%20satellite%20or%20drone%20imagery.

New tool remote monitoring of global reef health

The%20Biden%20administration%20unveiled%20a%20new%20plan%20to%20work%20with%20the%20ocean%20to%20mitigate%20and%20adapt%20to%20the%20climate%20crisis.%20President%20Joe%20Biden%20announced%20the%20publication%20of%20the%20first%20Ocean%20Climate%20Action%20Plan%20in%20U.S.%20history%20at%20the%20White%20House%20Conservation%20in%20Action%20Summit%2C%20during%20which%20he%20also%20officially%20named%20two%20new%20national%20monuments%20and%20asked%20the%20Secretary%20of%20Commerce%20to%20consider%20a%20National%20Marine%20Sanctuary%20in%20the%20U.S.%20waters%20surrounding%20the%20Pacific%20Remote%20Islands.%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20can%20reduce%20emissions%20by%20building%20offshore%20wind%20farms%2C%20better%20protect%20our%20coastal%20and%20fishing%20communities%20from%20worsening%20storms%2C%20changing%20fisheries%20and%20other%20impacts%20on%20climate%20change%2C%E2%80%9D%20Biden%20said%2C%20as%20USA%20TODAY%20reported.%20%0A%0AThe%20Ocean%20Climate%20Action%20Plan%20has%20three%20main%20goals%3A%20%0A%0AAchieve%20carbon%20neutrality.%0AWork%20with%20the%20oceans%20to%20develop%20nature-based%20solutions%20to%20store%20carbon%20dioxide%2C%20reduce%20the%20risk%20from%20the%20climate%20crisis%20and%20protect%20communities%20and%20ecosystems%20from%20inevitable%20changes.%0AWork%20with%20the%20ocean%20to%20boost%20the%20resilience%20of%20communities%20to%20those%20same%20changes.%0A%0ATo%20accomplish%20these%20goals%2C%20the%20report%20underscored%20eight%20priority%20actions%2C%20among%20them%20boosting%20offshore%20wind%20and%20other%20ocean-based%20renewable%20energy%20projects%2C%20decarbonizing%20maritime%20shipping%2C%20conserving%20and%20restoring%20marine%20and%20coastal%20carbon%20sinks%20and%20creating%20more%20marine%20protected%20areas.%20The%20Biden%20administration%20has%20already%20promised%20to%20protect%2030%20percent%20of%20U.S.%20land%20and%20water%20by%202030.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CGuiding%20these%20actions%20is%20a%20commitment%20to%20be%20responsible%20stewards%20of%20a%20healthy%20and%20sustainable%20ocean%3B%20advance%20environmental%20justice%3B%20engage%20with%20communities%2C%20Tribal%20Nations%2C%20and%20Indigenous%20Peoples%3B%20act%20based%20on%20evidence%2C%20science%2C%20and%20Indigenous%20Knowledge%3B%20and%20integrate%20and%20coordinate%20actions%20across%20the%20Federal%20Government%2C%E2%80%9D%20Ocean%20Policy%20Committee%20co-chairs%20Arati%20Prabhakar%20and%20Brenda%20Mallory%20wrote%20in%20a%20letter%20introducing%20the%20plan.%20%0A%0AThe%20Biden%20administration%20first%20announced%20its%20intention%20to%20draft%20an%20ocean%20climate%20plan%20to%20celebrate%20World%20Ocean%20Day%20of%202022.%20The%20final%20publication%20was%20widely%20welcomed%20by%20ocean%20advocacy%20groups.%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20Ocean%20Climate%20Action%20Plan%20is%20the%20first%20comprehensive%20approach%20that%20the%20U.S.%20has%20taken%20to%20leveraging%20the%20power%20of%20the%20ocean%20in%20the%20fight%20against%20climate%20change%2C%E2%80%9D%20Ocean%20Defense%20Initiative%20Director%20Jean%20Flemma%20said%20in%20a%20statement%20emailed%20to%20EcoWatch.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20plan%20should%20inspire%20a%20ripple%20effect%20of%20powerful%20climate%20actions%20from%20coast-to-coast%20that%20will%20slash%20emissions%20and%20help%20frontline%20communities.%20Still%2C%20a%20plan%20is%20only%20as%20strong%20as%20its%20implementation.%20We%20look%20forward%20to%20working%20with%20the%20Biden%20Administration%20to%20ensure%20strong%20ocean%20climate%20action%20policies%20are%20adopted%20across%20federal%20agencies%20and%20help%20the%20communities%20that%20need%20it%20most.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ASome%20concerns%20about%20implementation%20include%20the%20broader%20impact%20of%20certain%20ocean-based%20climate%20solutions%20highlighted%20for%20study%2C%20Inside%20Climate%20News%20noted.%20One%20such%20project%20would%20seed%20parts%20of%20the%20ocean%20with%20minerals%20that%20would%20encourage%20the%20growth%20of%20photosynthetic%20plankton.%20This%20would%20draw%20down%20carbon%20dioxide%20but%20might%20disrupt%20other%20natural%20marine%20cycles.%20Overall%2C%20however%2C%20ocean%20advocates%20are%20happy%20to%20see%20recognition%20of%20the%20role%20the%20ocean%20already%20plays%20in%20lessening%20the%20impact%20of%20the%20climate%20crisis%2C%20as%20it%20absorbs%20around%2090%20percent%20of%20extra%20warming.%0A%0A%E2%80%9COcean%20policy%20is%20often%20overlooked%20in%20discussions%20of%20climate%20action%20and%20climate%20solutions%2C%E2%80%9D%20Oceana%20Senior%20Director%20of%20Federal%20Policy%20Lara%20Levison%20told%20USA%20TODAY.%20%E2%80%9CThere%E2%80%99s%20so%20much%20emphasis%20on%20what%E2%80%99s%20happening%20on%20land%20and%20not%20nearly%20enough%20focus%20on%20the%20ocean.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20group%20overall%20praised%20the%20plan%2C%20but%20urged%20the%20administration%20to%20do%20more%20to%20limit%20offshore%20oil%20and%20gas%20drilling.%20Recently%2C%20Biden%20has%20come%20under%20fire%20for%20approving%20the%20controversial%20Willow%20oil%20drilling%20project%20in%20Alaska.%20In%20its%20most%20recent%20report%2C%20the%20Intergovernmental%20Panel%20on%20Climate%20Change%20has%20said%20that%20existing%20fossil%20fuel%20projects%20would%20take%20up%20the%20carbon%20budget%20for%20limiting%20warming%20to%201.5%20degrees%20Celsius%20above%20pre-industrial%20levels.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIt%E2%80%99s%20reassuring%20that%20President%20Biden%20is%20taking%20the%20climate%20crisis%20seriously%20and%20ensuring%20that%20our%20oceans%20are%20factored%20into%20the%20plan%20to%20address%20it%2C%E2%80%9D%20Oceana%E2%80%99s%20Vice%20President%20for%20the%20United%20States%20Beth%20Lowell%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%20%E2%80%9CTo%20date%2C%20our%20oceans%20have%20helped%20protect%20us%20from%20the%20worst%20impacts%20of%20climate%20change%2C%20and%20we%20know%20they%20can%20play%20an%20outsized%20role%20in%20keeping%20the%20planet%20from%20warming%20to%20catastrophic%20levels.%20But%20in%20order%20for%20that%20to%20happen%2C%20countries%20like%20the%20United%20States%20must%20stop%20the%20expansion%20of%20dirty%20and%20dangerous%20offshore%20drilling.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20group%20has%20calculated%20that%2C%20if%20the%20U.S.%20government%20banned%20offshore%20drilling%20in%20unleased%20federal%20waters%2C%20it%20could%20prevent%20more%20than%2019%20billion%20tons%20of%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%20from%20entering%20the%20atmosphere%20and%20stave%20off%20more%20than%20%24720%20billion%20in%20damages.

Nation’s First Ocean Climate Action Plan

After%20almost%2020%20years%20of%20talks%2C%20United%20Nations%20member%20states%20agree%20on%20legal%20framework%20for%20parts%20of%20the%20ocean%20outside%20national%20boundaries.%20It%20has%20been%20almost%20two%20decades%20in%20the%20making%2C%20but%20late%20on%20Saturday%20night%20in%20New%20York%2C%20after%20days%20of%20gruelling%20round-the-clock%20talks%2C%20UN%20member%20states%20finally%20agreed%20on%20a%20treaty%20to%20protect%20the%20high%20seas.%0A%0AA%20full%20day%20after%20the%20deadline%20for%20talks%20had%20officially%20passed%2C%20the%20conference%20president%2C%20Rena%20Lee%20of%20Singapore%2C%20took%20to%20the%20floor%20of%20room%202%20of%20the%20UN%20headquarters%20in%20New%20York%20and%20announced%20that%20the%20treaty%20had%20been%20agreed.%20At%20a%20later%20date%2C%20the%20delegates%20will%20meet%20for%20half%20a%20day%20to%20formally%20adopt%20the%20text.%20She%20made%20it%20clear%20the%20text%20would%20not%20be%20reopened.%0A%0AIt%20has%20been%20almost%20two%20decades%20in%20the%20making%2C%20but%20late%20on%20Saturday%20night%20in%20New%20York%2C%20after%20days%20of%20gruelling%20round-the-clock%20talks%2C%20UN%20member%20states%20finally%20agreed%20on%20a%20treaty%20to%20protect%20the%20high%20seas.%0A%0AA%20full%20day%20after%20the%20deadline%20for%20talks%20had%20officially%20passed%2C%20the%20conference%20president%2C%20Rena%20Lee%20of%20Singapore%2C%20took%20to%20the%20floor%20of%20room%202%20of%20the%20UN%20headquarters%20in%20New%20York%20and%20announced%20that%20the%20treaty%20had%20been%20agreed.%20At%20a%20later%20date%2C%20the%20delegates%20will%20meet%20for%20half%20a%20day%20to%20formally%20adopt%20the%20text.%20She%20made%20it%20clear%20the%20text%20would%20not%20be%20reopened.%0A%0AThe%20historic%20treaty%20is%20crucial%20for%20enforcing%20the%2030x30%20pledge%20made%20by%20countries%20at%20the%20UN%20biodiversity%20conference%20in%20December%2C%20to%20protect%20a%20third%20of%20the%20sea%20(and%20land)%20by%202030.%20Without%20a%20treaty%2C%20this%20target%20would%20certainly%20fail%2C%20as%20until%20now%20no%20legal%20mechanism%20existed%20to%20set%20up%20MPAs%20on%20the%20high%20seas.%0A%0ACovering%20almost%20two-thirds%20of%20the%20ocean%20that%20lies%20outside%20national%20boundaries%2C%20the%20treaty%20will%20provide%20a%20legal%20framework%20for%20establishing%20vast%20marine%20protected%20areas%20(MPAs)%20to%20protect%20against%20the%20loss%20of%20wildlife%20and%20share%20out%20the%20genetic%20resources%20of%20the%20high%20seas.%20It%20will%20establish%20a%20conference%20of%20the%20parties%20(Cop)%20that%20will%20meet%20periodically%20and%20enable%20member%20states%20to%20be%20held%20to%20account%20on%20issues%20such%20as%20governance%20and%20biodiversity.%0A%0AOcean%20ecosystems%20produce%20half%20the%20oxygen%20we%20breathe%2C%20represent%2095%25%20of%20the%20planet%E2%80%99s%20biosphere%20and%20soak%20up%20carbon%20dioxide%2C%20as%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20largest%20carbon%20sink.%20Yet%20until%20now%2C%20fragmented%20and%20loosely%20enforced%20rules%20governing%20the%20high%20seas%20have%20rendered%20this%20area%20more%20susceptible%20than%20coastal%20waters%20to%20exploitation.%0A%0AVeronica%20Frank%2C%20political%20adviser%20for%20Greenpeace%2C%20said%20that%20while%20the%20organisation%20hadn%E2%80%99t%20seen%20the%20latest%20text%2C%20%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20really%20happy.%20The%20world%20is%20so%20divided%20and%20to%20see%20multilateralism%20supported%20is%20so%20important.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWhat%E2%80%99s%20really%20important%20is%20now%20to%20use%20this%20tool%20to%20develop%20this%2030x30%20target%20into%20force%20really%20quickly.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20Pew%20Charitable%20Trust%20welcomed%20the%20%E2%80%9Clandmark%20international%20agreement%E2%80%9D.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CHigh%20seas%20marine%20protected%20areas%20can%20play%20a%20critical%20role%20in%20the%20impacts%20of%20climate%20change%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Liz%20Karan%2C%20director%20of%20Pew%E2%80%99s%20ocean%20governance%20project.%20%E2%80%9CGovernments%20and%20civil%20society%20must%20now%20ensure%20the%20agreement%20is%20adopted%20and%20rapidly%20enters%20into%20force%20and%20is%20effectively%20implemented%20to%20safeguard%20high%20seas%20biodiversity.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20High%20Ambition%20Coalition%20%E2%80%93%20which%20includes%20the%20EU%2C%20US%2C%20UK%20and%20China%20%E2%80%93%20were%20key%20players%20in%20brokering%20the%20deal%2C%20building%20coalitions%20instead%20of%20sowing%20division%20and%20showing%20willingness%20to%20compromise%20in%20the%20final%20days%20of%20talks.%20The%20Global%20South%20led%20the%20way%20in%20ensuring%20the%20treaty%20could%20be%20put%20into%20practice%20in%20a%20fair%20and%20equitable%20way.%0A%0AThe%20European%20commissioner%20for%20the%20environment%2C%20ocean%20and%20fisheries%2C%20Virginijus%20Sinkevi%C4%8Dius%2C%20described%20the%20agreement%20as%20a%20%E2%80%9Chistoric%20moment%20for%20the%20ocean%E2%80%9D%20and%20the%20culmination%20of%20more%20than%20a%20decade%20of%20work%20and%20international%20negotiations.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWith%20the%20agreement%20on%20the%20UN%20High%20Seas%20Treaty%2C%20we%20take%20a%20crucial%20step%20forward%20to%20preserve%20the%20marine%20life%20and%20biodiversity%20that%20are%20essential%20for%20us%20and%20the%20generations%20to%20come%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20said.%20%E2%80%9CIt%20is%20also%20a%20proof%20of%20strengthened%20multilateral%20cooperation%20with%20our%20partners%20and%20a%20major%20asset%20to%20implement%20our%20COP%2015%20goal%20for%2030%25%20ocean%20protection.%20I%20am%20very%20proud%20of%20our%20outcome.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AMichael%20Imran%20Kanu%2C%20the%20head%20of%20the%20African%20Group%20and%20ambassador%20and%20deputy%20permanent%20representative%20to%20the%20UN%20for%20legal%20affairs%20of%20Sierra%20Leone%2C%20said%20the%20treaty%20was%20%E2%80%9Crobust%20and%20ambitious%E2%80%9D.%20Kanu%2C%20who%20expressed%20concerns%20during%20talks%20over%20the%20fair%20and%20equitable%20sharing%20of%20benefits%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CWe%20really%20achieved%20amazing%20results%E2%80%9D%20on%20this%20issue.%20Monetary%20and%20non-monetary%20benefits%20would%20be%20shared%20and%20an%20initial%20upfront%20fund%20would%20be%20set%20up%20under%20the%20treaty.%20He%20welcomed%20the%20adoption%20of%20the%20%E2%80%9Ccommon%20heritage%20of%20humankind%E2%80%9D%20as%20a%20key%20principle%20for%20the%20high%20seas%2C%20which%20was%20a%20red%20line%20for%20many%20developing%20states.%20%E2%80%9CThat%20was%20significant%20for%20us%E2%80%9D%2C%20he%20said.%0A%0AIt%20is%20the%20third%20time%20in%20less%20than%20a%20year%20that%20member%20states%20have%20hunkered%20down%20in%20the%20UN%E2%80%99s%20headquarters%20in%20New%20York%20to%20thrash%20out%20a%20%E2%80%9Cfinal%E2%80%9D%20deal.%20The%20negotiations%2C%20which%20ran%20over%20two%20weeks%20from%2020%20February%20were%20the%20fifth%20round%20of%20talks%20after%20earlier%20negotiations%20ended%20last%20August%20without%20agreement.%0A%0AThat%20an%20agreement%20was%20reached%20between%20193%20nations%20at%20all%2C%20was%20a%20huge%20achievement%2C%20but%20conservationists%20say%20it%20leaves%20significant%20scope%20for%20improvement.%20In%20particular%2C%20countries%20agreed%20that%20existing%20bodies%20already%20responsible%20for%20regulating%20activities%20such%20as%20fisheries%2C%20shipping%20and%20deep-sea%20mining%20could%20continue%20to%20do%20so%20without%20having%20to%20carry%20out%20environmental%20impact%20assessments%20laid%20out%20by%20the%20treaty.%0A%0AOne%20of%20the%20key%20stumbling%20blocks%2C%20which%20divided%20developing%20and%20developed%20nations%2C%20was%20how%20to%20fairly%20share%20marine%20genetic%20resources%20(MGR)%20and%20the%20eventual%20profits.%20MGR%2C%20which%20consist%20of%20the%20genetic%20material%20of%20deep-sea%20marine%20sponges%2C%20krill%2C%20corals%2C%20seaweeds%20and%20bacteria%2C%20are%20attracting%20increasing%20scientific%20and%20commercial%20attention%20due%20to%20their%20potential%20use%20in%20medicines%20and%20cosmetics.%0A%0AOthers%20sticking%20points%20included%20the%20procedure%20for%20creating%20marine%20protected%20areas%20and%20the%20model%20for%20environmental%20impact%20studies%20of%20planned%20activities%20on%20the%20high%20seas.%0A%0AIn%20a%20move%20seen%20as%20an%20attempt%20to%20build%20trust%20between%20rich%20and%20poor%20countries%2C%20the%20European%20Union%20pledged%20%E2%82%AC40m%20(%2442m)%20in%20New%20York%20to%20facilitate%20the%20ratification%20of%20the%20treaty%20and%20its%20early%20implementation.%0A%0AMonica%20Medina%2C%20the%20US%20assistant%20secretary%20for%20oceans%2C%20international%20environment%20and%20scientific%20affairs%2C%20who%20attended%20the%20negotiations%20in%20New%20York%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CWe%20leave%20here%20with%20the%20ability%20to%20create%20protected%20areas%20in%20the%20high%20seas%20and%20achieve%20the%20ambitious%20goal%20of%20conserving%2030%25%20of%20the%20ocean%20by%202030.%20And%20the%20time%20to%20start%20is%20now.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AShe%20said%20the%20US%20was%20pleased%20to%20agree%20on%20the%20major%20element%20of%20a%20high%20seas%20treaty%20that%20includes%20a%20strong%2C%20coordinated%20approach%20to%20establishing%20marine%20protected%20areas.%0A%0ARebecca%20Hubbard%2C%20director%20of%20the%20High%20Seas%20Alliance%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CFollowing%20a%20two-week-long%20rollercoaster%20of%20a%20ride%20of%20negotiations%20and%20superhero%20efforts%20in%20the%20last%2048%20hours%2C%20governments%20reached%20agreement%20on%20key%20issues%20that%20will%20advance%20protection%20and%20better%20management%20of%20marine%20biodiversity%20in%20the%20high%20seas.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWhat%20happens%20on%20the%20high%20seas%20will%20no%20longer%20be%20%E2%80%98out%20of%20sight%2C%20out%20of%20mind%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Jessica%20Battle%20of%20WWF%20in%20a%20statement%20after%20leading%20the%20group%E2%80%99s%20team%20at%20the%20negotiations.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20can%20now%20look%20at%20the%20cumulative%20impacts%20on%20our%20ocean%20in%20a%20way%20that%20reflects%20the%20interconnected%20blue%20economy%20and%20the%20ecosystems%20that%20support%20it.%E2%80%9D

UN states agree historic deal to protect high seas

Delegations%20from%20hundreds%20of%20countries%20will%20meet%20in%20New%20York%20this%20week%20in%20an%20attempt%20to%20hammer%20out%20a%20new%20legally%20binding%20ocean%20protection%20treaty%20that%20green%20groups%20believe%20will%20decide%20whether%20efforts%20to%20safeguard%20global%20biodiversity%20can%20succeed.%0A%0ALast%20August%2C%20an%20earlier%20round%20of%20talks%20on%20the%20new%20United%20Nations%20ocean%20conservation%20treaty%20were%20suspended%2C%20with%20countries%20unable%20to%20reach%20an%20agreement%20on%20financing.%20Sharing%20the%20proceeds%20of%20%22marine%20genetic%20resources%22%20and%20the%20establishment%20of%20ocean%20environmental%20impact%20assessment%20rules%20for%20development%20were%20also%20major%20sticking%20points.%0A%0AExperts%20familiar%20with%20the%20negotiations%20said%20major%20parties%20have%20now%20moved%20closer%20together%20on%20key%20issues%20as%20new%20talks%20begin%2C%20though%20compromises%20were%20still%20being%20sought.%0A%0A%22There%20seems%20to%20be%20an%20appetite%20to%20actually%20finalise%20the%20treaty%20now%2C%22%20said%20Jessica%20Battle%2C%20ocean%20expert%20at%20the%20Worldwide%20Fund%20for%20Nature.%0A%0A%22There%20are%20several%20countries%20who%20are%20looking%20for%20some%20concessions%20to%20be%20made%2C%20but%20at%20the%20end%20of%20the%20day%20what%20is%20really%20important%20is%20that%20the%20treaty%20doesn't%20get%20too%20watered%20down%2C%22%20she%20said%2C%20noting%20that%20one%20attempt%20to%20exclude%20fishing%20from%20the%20treaty%20had%20already%20been%20defeated.%0A%0AThe%20success%20of%20the%20talks%2C%20scheduled%20to%20run%20until%20March%203%2C%20still%20%22hinge%20on%20the%20finance%20question%22%2C%20said%20Li%20Shuo%2C%20global%20policy%20advisor%20at%20Greenpeace%2C%20and%20China%20is%20set%20to%20be%20a%20major%20player%20in%20the%20negotiations%2C%20especially%20when%20it%20comes%20to%20bringing%20other%20developing%20nations%20on%20board.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20Greenpeace%2C%2011%20million%20square%20kilometres%20(4.25%20million%20square%20miles)%20of%20ocean%20must%20be%20protected%20every%20year%20between%20now%20and%20the%20end%20of%20the%20decade%20if%20a%20target%20of%20protecting%2030%25%20of%20the%20world's%20land%20and%20sea%20by%202030%20-%20known%20as%20%2230%20by%2030%22%20-%20is%20to%20be%20met.%0A%0AChina's%20foreign%20ministry%20said%20in%20a%20statement%20that%20it%20was%20working%20hard%20to%20achieve%20%22a%20high-quality%20agreement%20that%20takes%20conservation%20and%20sustainable%20use%20into%20account%20and%20can%20be%20generally%20accepted%20by%20the%20international%20community.%22%0A%0AHow%20to%20share%20the%20proceeds%20from%20ocean%20industrial%20development%2C%20including%20the%20use%20of%20marine%20genetic%20resources%20in%20pharmaceuticals%20and%20other%20industries%2C%20will%20also%20be%20a%20crucial%20factor%20for%20China%2C%20which%20is%20already%20home%20to%20six%20of%20the%2010%20biggest%20global%20companies%20that%20run%20high%20seas%20fishing%20fleets.%0A%0A%22Genetic%20resources%20and%20the%20issue%20of%20finance%20will%20be%20the%20end%20game%2C%22%20said%20Greenpeace's%20Li.

UN ocean treaty talks resume to save biodiversity

The%20French%20Parliament%20has%20voted%20in%20favour%20of%20banning%20deep-sea%20mining%20in%20its%20waters%2C%20in%20an%20emphatic%20move%20against%20the%20controversial%20practice.%20The%20vote%20was%20won%20with%20an%20absolute%20majority%20(17%20January)%20and%20the%20National%20Assembly%20is%20now%20urging%20the%20government%20to%20adopt%20the%20moratorium.%0A%0ADeep-sea%20mining%20would%20see%20heavy%20machinery%20being%20used%20on%20the%20ocean%20floor%20to%20suck%20up%20small%20rocks%20containing%20rare%20metals.%20Though%20it%E2%80%99s%20still%20at%20an%20exploratory%20stage%2C%20companies%20are%20very%20interested%20in%20the%20cobalt%2C%20nickel%20and%20manganese%20which%20could%20be%20extracted%20for%20car%20batteries.%0A%0ABut%20scientists%20are%20concerned%20about%20the%20potentially%20devastating%20impact%20on%20marine%20ecosystems.%20As%20well%20as%20the%20climate%2C%20given%20the%20vast%20amounts%20of%20CO2%20stored%20at%20these%20depths.%0A%0ANicholas%20Thierry%2C%20the%20Green%20MP%20who%20tabled%20the%20motion%2C%20welcomed%20the%20vote%20as%20a%20%E2%80%9Cvictory%20for%20the%20seabed%20and%20environmentalists%E2%80%9D%20last%20night.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWhat%20an%20accomplishment%20after%20several%20months%20of%20work%20with%20NGOs%20and%20MPs%20from%20different%20political%20persuasions%2C%20to%20finally%20see%20our%20resolution%20against%20seabed%20mining%20adopted%20in%20the%20Chamber!%E2%80%9D%20he%20tweeted.%0A%0AThey%20can%20count%20on%20the%20President%E2%80%99s%20support.%20Emmanuel%20Macron%20has%20already%20made%20his%20opposition%20to%20high-sea%20mining%20clear%20-%20most%20notably%20at%20COP27%20where%20he%20called%20for%20a%20new%20legal%20framework%20to%20stop%20extractive%20activities%20from%20going%20ahead.%0A%0AFrom%20a%20darkening%20200m%20and%20down%2C%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20%E2%80%98deep%20seas%E2%80%99%20make%20up%2090%20per%20cent%20of%20the%20ocean.%20Because%20they%20are%20so%20inaccessible%2C%20they%20still%20hold%20huge%20mysteries%20for%20science.%0A%0AThis%20lack%20of%20scientific%20knowledge%20constitutes%20a%20%E2%80%9Cmajor%20risk%20for%20the%20safeguarding%20of%20these%20areas%E2%80%9D%2C%20according%20to%20the%20National%20Assembly%E2%80%99s%20new%20resolution%2C%20which%20calls%20them%20%E2%80%9Cthe%20common%20heritage%20of%20humanity.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AMost%20of%20the%20species%20in%20these%20remote%20ecosystems%20have%20adapted%20to%20the%20unique%20conditions%20of%20the%20ocean%20depths%20and%20are%20extremely%20vulnerable%20to%20human%20disturbance.%0A%0AA%20still%20greater%20existential%20threat%20is%20the%20release%20of%20greenhouse%20gases%20sequestered%20in%20ocean%20soils.%0A%0AIn%20September%202022%2C%20Canadian%20firm%20The%20Metal%20Company%20got%20a%20%E2%80%98test%20permit%E2%80%99%20to%20extract%20over%203%2C000%20tonnes%20of%20polymetallic%20%E2%80%98nodules%E2%80%99%20(small%20rocks)%204%2C000%20metres%20deep%20in%20the%20heart%20of%20the%20Pacific.%0A%0AUndercover%20footage%20from%20its%20first%20tests%20shows%20a%20black%20stream%20of%20sediment%20spewing%20from%20the%20ship.%20French%20newspaper%20Le%20Monde%20reports%20that%20this%20played%20a%20big%20role%20in%20the%20parliamentary%20discussion%2C%20which%20also%20saw%20Les%20Mis%C3%A9rables%20author%20Victor%20Hugo%20quoted.%0A%0AResolved%20to%20set%20an%20example%20in%20its%20own%20waters%2C%20France%20has%20cancelled%20an%20%E2%80%9Cunderwater%20exploitation%20demonstrator%20project%E2%80%9D%2C%20the%20paper%20adds.%0A%0ADeep-sea%20mining%20has%20been%20under%20the%20spotlight%20since%20July%202021%2C%20when%20The%20Metals%20Company%20and%20Pacific%20island%20nation%20Nauru%20triggered%20a%20UN%20rule%20that%20gives%20authorities%20two%20years%20to%20come%20up%20with%20regulations.%0A%0AThat%20deadline%20is%20fast%20approaching.%20But%20scientists%20have%20warned%20that%20even%2010%20years%20would%20be%20insufficient%20time%20to%20assess%20the%20ecological%20impacts.%0A%0AFrance%20joins%20a%20growing%20number%20of%20governments%20calling%20for%20a%20ban%20or%20precautionary%20pause%20to%20deep%20sea%20mining%20in%20the%20meantime%2C%20including%20Germany%2C%20Spain%2C%20New%20Zealand%20and%20Costa%20Rica.%0A%0AThe%20European%20Parliament%2C%20the%20European%20Commission%20and%20the%20IUCN%20are%20backing%20the%20moratorium.%20Multinationals%20like%20Google%2C%20Microsoft%2C%20Renault%2C%20Samsung%20and%20Tesla%20have%20also%20committed%20not%20to%20source%20minerals%20from%20the%20deep%20seabed.%0A%0A%22We%20are%20very%20happy%20that%20the%20French%20Parliament%20has%20adopted%20this%20resolution%2C%22%20oceans%20campaign%20leader%20for%20Greenpeace%20France%20tells%20Euronews%20Green.%20But%20a%20critical%20mass%20of%20opposition%20is%20still%20needed%20before%20the%20July%202023%20deadline.

France votes to ban deep-sea mining in its waters

UN%20member%20states%20will%20gather%20in%20New%20York%20to%20hammer%20out%20a%20long-awaited%20treaty%20that%2C%20if%20agreed%2C%20will%20govern%20the%20planet%E2%80%99s%20last%2C%20lawless%20wilderness%3A%20the%20high%20seas.%0A%0ATwo%20hundred%20nautical%20miles%20beyond%20the%20territorial%20waters%20and%20jurisdiction%20of%20nations%2C%20the%20high%20seas%20have%20been%20treated%20%E2%80%9Crecklessly%E2%80%9D%2C%20according%20to%20environmental%20groups.%0A%0AWarning%20that%20the%20outcome%20of%20the%20talks%20%E2%80%93%20which%20run%20from%20Monday%20until%2026%20August%2C%20will%20determine%20the%20fate%20of%20the%20ocean%20for%20generations%2C%20they%20are%20urging%20world%20leaders%20to%20agree%20to%20an%20ambitious%2C%20legally%20binding%20treaty%20to%20protect%20marine%20life%20and%20to%20reverse%20biodiversity%20loss.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20high%20seas%20epitomise%20the%20tragedy%20of%20the%20commons%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Marco%20Lambertini%20director%20general%20of%20WWF%20International.%20%E2%80%9CBecause%20they%20don%E2%80%99t%20belong%20to%20anyone%2C%20they%20have%20been%20treated%20recklessly%20with%20impunity.%20We%20need%20a%20common%20governance%20mechanism%20for%20our%20oceans%20to%20ensure%20that%20nobody%E2%80%99s%20waters%20become%20everyone%E2%80%99s%20waters%20%E2%80%93%20and%20everyone%E2%80%99s%20responsibility.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20high%20seas%2C%20which%20lie%20beyond%20the%20exclusive%20economic%20zones%20(EEZ)%20of%20nations%20and%20make%20up%20two-thirds%20of%20the%20ocean%2C%20play%20a%20vital%20role%20in%20supporting%20fisheries%2C%20providing%20habitats%20for%20ecosystems%20crucial%20for%20planetary%20health%20and%20mitigating%20the%20impact%20of%20the%20climate%20crisis.%20But%20only%201%25%20of%20the%20high%20seas%20are%20protected.%0A%0AAwa%20Traor%C3%A9%2C%20oceans%20campaigner%20at%20Greenpeace%20Africa%2C%20said%20in%20the%20two%20decades%20governments%20have%20been%20discussing%20a%20high%20seas%20treaty%2C%20marine%20life%20has%20suffered.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CHere%20in%20west%20Africa%2C%20we%E2%80%99ve%20already%20seen%20fish%20stocks%20severely%20depleted%20by%20industrial%20fishing%20vessels%2C%20often%20from%20Europe%2C%20and%20this%20is%20already%20harming%20livelihoods%20and%20food%20security%20across%20the%20region%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Traor%C3%A9.%20%E2%80%9CAny%20further%20delays%20would%20be%20a%20slap%20in%20the%20face%20to%20all%20who%20put%20faith%20in%20political%20leaders%20keeping%20their%20promises.%20Delegates%20must%20follow%20through%20on%20their%20governments%E2%80%99%20commitments%2C%20and%20finalise%20an%20ambitious%20global%20ocean%20treaty%20now.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AFifty%20nations%20have%20pledged%20to%20protect%2030%25%20of%20the%20planet%E2%80%99s%20land%20and%20seas%20by%202030.%20But%20without%20an%20agreement%2C%20these%20pledges%20will%20have%20no%20legal%20basis%20in%20the%20high%20seas.%0A%0AThis%20month%E2%80%99s%20talks%20are%20the%20second%20attempt%20this%20year%20to%20reach%20an%20agreement%20on%20the%20high%20seas.%0A%0AAt%20a%20UN%20ocean%20conference%20in%20June%2C%20UN%20secretary-general%2C%20Ant%C3%B3nio%20Guterres%2C%20declared%20an%20%E2%80%9Cocean%20emergency%E2%80%9D%20and%20suggested%20the%20%E2%80%9Cegoism%E2%80%9D%20of%20some%20governments%20was%20hampering%20efforts%20to%20agree%20a%20high%20seas%20treaty.%20At%20the%20same%20conference%20in%20Lisbon%2C%20Rena%20Lee%2C%20president%20of%20the%20intergovernmental%20conference%20on%20BBNJ%20(biodiversity%20beyond%20national%20jurisdiction)%2C%20who%20will%20chair%20the%20New%20York%20treaty%20talks%2C%20told%20delegates%3A%20%E2%80%9CInstruct%20your%20negotiators%20to%20come%20to%20the%20fifth%20session%20with%20maximum%20flexibility%20to%20get%20to%20the%20finish%20line.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20ocean%20has%20a%20critical%20role%20in%20buffering%20the%20world%20from%20the%20climate%20crisis%2C%20by%20absorbing%20carbon%20dioxide%20as%20well%20as%2090%25%20of%20heat%20caused%20by%20warming.%20But%20sea%20levels%2C%20ocean%20heating%2C%20acidification%20and%20greenhouse%20gas%20concentrations%20all%20reached%20record%20levels%20last%20year%2C%20according%20to%20the%20World%20Meteorological%20Organisation%E2%80%99s%20state%20of%20the%20global%20climate%20report%2C%20hampering%20the%20ocean%E2%80%99s%20capacity%20as%20a%20carbon%20sink.%0A%0AOn%20Friday%2C%20the%20High%20Seas%20Alliance%2C%20a%20coalition%20of%2050%20environmental%20organisations%20will%20launch%20a%20%E2%80%9Ctreaty%20tracker%E2%80%9D%20to%20name%20and%20shame%20countries%20they%20say%20are%20dragging%20their%20heels%20during%20negotiations.%0A%0AThe%20alliance%20will%20grade%20each%20country%E2%80%99s%20negotiating%20positions%2C%20with%20a%20%E2%80%9Chigh%E2%80%9D%20%E2%80%9Clow%E2%80%9D%20or%20%E2%80%9Cbusiness%20as%20usual%E2%80%9D%20level%20of%20ambition.%20Hundreds%20of%20thousands%20of%20people%20have%20signed%20petitions%20urging%20all%20193%20nations%20to%20deliver%20a%20strong%20treaty%20that%20will%20protect%2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Leaders meet to pass a UN treaty to protect oceans

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Tiny Pacific island will protect 100% of its ocean

The%20vast%20majority%20of%20the%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20coral%20reefs%20could%20be%20dead%20within%20three%20decades%20unless%20prompt%20action%20is%20taken%20to%20reduce%20emissions%2C%20according%20to%20a%20new%20report.%0A%0AResearchers%20at%20the%20University%20of%20Leicester%20issued%20a%20dire%20warning%20that%20it%20may%20already%20be%20too%20late%20to%20save%20these%20important%20ecosystems%20which%20are%20home%20to%20thousands%20of%20species.%20This%20could%20also%20cause%20a%20huge%20economic%20crisis%20for%20half%20a%20billion%20people%20who%20depend%20on%20the%20reefs%20for%20jobs%20and%20income.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CCoral%20reefs%20are%20the%20%E2%80%98canaries%20in%20the%20coal%20mine%E2%80%99%20when%20it%20comes%20to%20sensing%20ecosystems%20under%20stress%20from%20ocean%20warming%20due%20to%20climate%20change%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20Jens%20Zinke%2C%20professor%20of%20palaeobiology%20at%20Leicester%20University.%20%E2%80%9CCorals%20can%20sense%20when%20ocean%20temperatures%20exceed%20a%20dangerous%20threshold%20and%20warn%20us%20when%20we%20need%20to%20take%20measures%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Jens%20Zinke%2C%20professor%20of%20palaeobiology%20at%20Leicester%20University.%0A%0AAn%20international%20team%20of%20environmental%20scientists%20have%20published%20recommendations%20to%20conserve%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20coral%20reefs%2C%20as%2090%20per%20cent%20could%20vanish%20in%20the%20next%2030%20years.%0A%0AThe%20Vibrant%20Oceans%20Initiative%20revealed%20their%20findings%20on%20the%20future%20of%20endangered%20habitats%20on%2013-14%20April%20at%20Our%20Oceans%20Conference%20in%20Palau%2C%20in%20the%20Micronesia%20region%20in%20the%20western%20Pacific%20Ocean.%0A%0AThe%20research%20shows%20that%20some%20coral%20reefs%20have%20the%20ability%20to%20recover%20or%20resist%20thermal%20stress%20faster%20than%20others.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20a%20major%20new%20research%20direction%20-%20to%20find%20those%20locations%20and%20protect%20them%20before%20they%20are%20gone%2C%E2%80%9D%20Zinke%20explains.%0A%0AWhere%20are%20the%20most%20resilient%20coral%20reefs%20located%3F%0A%0AThe%20Vibrant%20Oceans%20group%20identified%2050%20reefs%20that%20were%20most%20likely%20to%20survive%20climate%20change.%20These%20are%20found%20in%20the%20Indian%20and%20Pacific%20Oceans%2C%20the%20Caribbean%20as%20well%20as%20east%20Africa.%0A%0AImportant%20work%20needs%20to%20be%20carried%20out%20on%20these%20areas%20which%20are%20home%20to%20resistant%20and%20fast-recovering%20reefs.%20Scientists%20are%20urging%20that%20there%20needs%20to%20be%20more%20research%20into%20reefs%20that%20have%20shown%20the%20ability%20to%20recover%20some%20life%20after%20suffering%20coral%20bleaching%2C%20or%20have%20demonstrated%20resistance%20to%20the%20effects%20of%20climate%20change.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20a%20recent%20IPCC%20(Intergovernmental%20Panel%20on%20Climate%20Change)%20report%2C%20corals%20with%20the%20highest%20potential%20to%20escape%20destruction%20from%20ocean%20spikes%20in%20temperature%20are%20along%20the%20northern%20shoreline%20of%20Cuba.%20Other%20sites%20are%20around%20the%20Bahamas%2C%20Dominican%20Republic%2C%20Guadeloupe%2C%20Haiti%2C%20eastern%20Jamaica%2C%20and%20the%20US%20state%20of%20Florida.%0A%0AEven%20if%20global%20warming%20is%20kept%20within%201.5%20degrees%20above%20pre-industrial%20levels%2C%20around%2090%20per%20cent%20of%20the%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20coral%20reefs%20could%20disappear%20within%20three%20decades.%0A%0AWhy%20are%20coral%20reefs%20such%20a%20vital%20ecosystem%3F%0A%0ACoral%20reefs%20are%20huge%20animal%20colonies%20that%20secrete%20calcium%20carbonate%20(limestone).%20There%20are%20more%20than%20800%20different%20species%20of%20coral%20reefs%2C%20which%20form%20colonies.%20A%20single%20coral%20or%20polyp%2C%20has%20a%20simple%2C%20tubular%20body%20with%20a%20ring%20of%20stinging%20tentacles.%0A%0AThey%20have%20a%20central%20mouth%20that%20filters%20food%2C%20and%2090%20per%20cent%20of%20their%20nutrition%20comes%20from%20microscopic%20algae%20called%20%22zooxanthellae.%22%20This%20algae%20is%20what%20gives%20coral%20reefs%20with%20their%20extraordinarily%20vivid%20colours%20which%20range%20from%20shades%20of%20green%2C%20brown%2C%20pink%2C%20yellow%2C%20red%2C%20purple%20or%20blue.%0A%0AWhat%20will%20happens%20if%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20coral%20reefs%20die%3F%0A%0AThese%20amazing%20structures%20act%20as%20important%20barriers%20to%20coastlines%2C%20and%20protect%20strong%20waves%20that%20can%20erode%20beaches.%20Fiercer%20seasThese%20cause%20structural%20damage%20to%20ocean-front%20buildings%2C%20as%20well%20as%20being%20a%20safety%20hazard%2C%20as%20the%20frequency%20and%20intensity%20of%20storms%20increases.%0A%0AReefs%20are%20known%20as%20the%20%E2%80%98rainforests%20of%20the%20sea.%E2%80%99%20Although%20they%20cover%20less%20than%20one%20per%20cent%20of%20the%20ocean%2C%20these%20ecosystems%20are%20home%20to%2025%20per%20cent%20of%20all%20marine%20life%2C%20which%20accounts%20for%20more%20than%20one%20million%20species.%0A%0AOver%20the%20past%20few%20years%2C%20reefs%20around%20the%20globe%20have%20experienced%20coral%20bleaching%20as%20the%20result%20of%20higher%20temperatures%20caused%20by%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%2C%20according%20to%20the%20International%20Union%20for%20Conservation%20of%20Nature%20(IUCN).%0A%0AA%20rise%20of%201%E2%80%932%C2%B0C%20in%20marine%20temperatures%20over%20a%20few%20months%20can%20lead%20to%20bleaching%2C%20which%20turns%20the%20corals%20white.%20The%20bleaching%20may%20lead%20to%20the%20death%20of%20vast%20areas%20of%20coral.%20The%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%20suffered%20from%20catastrophic%20bleaching%20in%202016%2C%20leading%20to%20the%20death%20of%20almost%2050%20per%20cent%20of%20its%20corals.

90% of coral reefs could be dead in 30 years

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More than 100 nations take action to save oceans

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