On the occasion of the « Spring of the Ocean » conference, held today at the Maison de l’Océan in Paris, the French Committee of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) is issuing a call to action to strengthen the protection and restoration of the Ocean.
Through this initiative, the French Committee of the IUCN is urging France and other countries to make ambitious announcements and intensify their efforts during the 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC 3), which will take place in Nice from June 9 to 13, 2025. Midway through the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science, this event aims to accelerate the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (« Life Below Water ») to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal ecosystems.
This call to action has been signed by around thirty biodiversity protection organizations to present concrete recommendations for tackling various pressures and restoring the health of the Ocean. Indeed, two-thirds of marine environments are severely altered by human activities, yet they host unique biodiversity and play a crucial role in human well-being and climate regulation. The call is structured around four themes:
STRENGTHENING MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
To achieve the global goal of effectively protecting 30% of the Ocean by 2030, it is essential to increase the area of marine protected areas, especially in the high seas, improve the protection levels of marine protected areas, and ensure their effective management, with the necessary human, technical, and financial resources.
STRENGTHENING THE PROTECTION AND RESTORATION OF MARINE ECOSYSTEMS
In the face of their degradation, the restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems is essential, particularly under the European regulation on nature restoration. The Paris Agreement on climate must be fully respected, and the use of Nature-based Solutions should be scaled up. The protection of deep and mesophotic marine ecosystems (between 30 and 200 meters deep) must be enhanced, as well as efforts to combat marine pollution from all sources, both terrestrial and maritime.
STRENGTHENING THE PROTECTION OF MARINE SPECIES
With alarming statistics showing the decline of marine species (one-third of sharks, rays, and marine mammals are threatened with extinction; one-third of marine fish stocks are overexploited…), greater action is needed for their protection. This involves reducing the impact of fishing on marine biodiversity and effectively protecting key areas for species survival.
ENSURING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR THE OCEAN
It is necessary to promote a regenerative blue economy, increase scientific cooperation, and develop education on ocean issues, as well as mobilize funding for ocean-related actions while reforming harmful subsidies.
Consult the full program of the « Spring of the Ocean » conference. This event was supported by the Monaco Oceanographic Institute – Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation, the Blue Nature Alliance, and the Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Foundation.
Source: UICN
