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Straits Times
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
At UN conference, countries inch toward ocean protection goal
More than 170 nations adopted a political declaration at the end of the gathering calling for urgent action. PHOTO: REUTERS NICE, France – Remote coral atolls in the Caribbean. Habitat for threatened sharks and rays around a Tanzanian island in the Indian Ocean. And 900,000 square kilometres of the Pacific Ocean around French Polynesia. These are some of the stretches of water now set aside as part of an international goal to protect 30 per cent of the ocean by 2030. More than 20 new marine protected areas were announced at the third United Nations Ocean Conference, which ended on June 13 in France. Countries and territories pledging new areas included Chile, Colombia, French Polynesia, Portugal, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, the Solomon Islands, Tanzania, and Vanuatu. 'Protecting the ocean is beginning to become fashionable,' said Sylvia Earle, a marine biologist and oceanographer who served as chief scientist of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the 1990s, at an event celebrating a network of protected areas around the Azores. The new designations come at a time when the United States, which sent only two observers to the conference, has moved to reopen the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument to commercial fishing. The country is also seeking to unilaterally authorise mining of the seafloor in international waters. More than 60 world leaders attended the June 9-13 conference, with the UN saying the world faced an emergency over the health of the oceans. More than 170 nations adopted a political declaration at the end of the gathering calling for urgent action. 'The ocean is fundamental to life on our planet and to our future, and we remain deeply alarmed by the global emergency it faces. The ocean and its ecosystems are adversely affected by climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution,' the declaration says. France, which hosted the conference with Costa Rica, pushed for a moratorium on deep sea mining, with four new countries pledging their support this past week, bringing the total to 37 countries. Less than 3 per cent of the ocean is currently fully protected from 'extractive' activities such as commercial fishing and mining, according to the Marine Protection Atlas. Peter Thomson, the United Nations secretary-general's special envoy for the ocean, acknowledged at the Azores event that reaching 30 per cent by the 2030 deadline may not happen. But, he said, 'it's not a mythical thing that will never happen'. In order to reach the goal, the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty, needs to be enforced with at least 60 countries ratifying it. At the conference, 19 new countries ratified the treaty, bringing the total to 50 individual countries plus the European Union. Once active, the treaty would provide a pathway toward protecting stretches of the ocean beyond individual countries' borders. And in coastal waters within those borders, much remains to be done. A study published in May 2025 found that the average marine protected area today is about 10 square kilometres, meaning about 188,000 more areas of that size are needed – or 85 new marine protected areas a day. These numbers are 'super daunting,' said the report's lead author Kristin Rechberger, CEO of the conservation organisation Dynamic Planet. She wants countries to break through the challenge by decentralising marine protection and allowing coastal communities to create their own small protected areas at a faster pace. A separate report published last week found that countries need to raise US$15.8 billion (S$20.2 billion) a year in order to protect 30 per cent of the ocean. Currently, about US$1.2 billion a year goes toward ocean protection globally. Questions also remain about how meaningful existing protections are. Activists have been pushing the French government to announce a ban on bottom trawling in its marine protected areas. President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would place 4 per cent of its mainland waters under 'strong protection,' limiting bottom trawling, a fishing process that drags nets along the seafloor. This falls short of an existing European Union goal of placing 10 per cent of its waters under 'strict protection,' without commercial fishing of any kind. 'Allowing destructive bottom trawling in most of France's so-called 'protected' areas makes a mockery of ocean protection,' said Alexandra Cousteau, senior adviser to Oceana and granddaughter of ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, in a written statement. 'It's like building a fence around a forest and then bulldozing it anyway.' Even where protections from commercial fishing exist around the world, enforcement is often lacking. The United States did not send an official delegation to the conference. Two representatives from the administration's Environmental Advisory Task Force, including Ed Russo, the chair, attended as what the State Department called 'government observers.' John Kerry, the former special presidential envoy for climate under President Joe Biden, said he didn't know what role the United States would play in ocean protection now. 'We have an amazing conglomeration of countries that have come together to improve the marine protected areas,' Mr Kerry said. The announcements this week, however, are 'just building blocks,' he said. 'We are not moving fast enough or at scale.' NYTIMES Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
New York Times
14-06-2025
- Science
- New York Times
At U.N. Conference, Countries Inch Toward Ocean Protection Goal
Remote coral atolls in the Caribbean. Habitat for threatened sharks and rays around a Tanzanian island in the Indian Ocean. And 900,000 square kilometers of the Pacific Ocean around French Polynesia. These are some of the millions of acres of water now set aside as part of an international goal to protect 30 percent of the ocean by 2030. More than 20 new marine protected areas were announced at the third United Nations Ocean Conference, which ended on Friday in France. Countries and territories pledging new areas included Chile; Colombia; French Polynesia; Portugal; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; the Solomon Islands; Tanzania; and Vanuatu. 'Protecting the ocean is beginning to become fashionable,' said Sylvia Earle, a marine biologist and oceanographer who served as chief scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the 1990s, at an event celebrating a network of protected areas around the Azores. The new designations come at a time when the United States, which sent only two observers to the conference, has moved to reopen the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument to commercial fishing. The country is also seeking to unilaterally authorize mining of the seafloor in international waters. France, which hosted the conference with Costa Rica, pushed for a moratorium on deep sea mining, with four new countries pledging their support this week, bringing the total to 37 countries. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The National
08-06-2025
- Science
- The National
Oceans face unprecedented challenges, says UAE Climate Minister
The health of the world's oceans is at serious risk warned Dr Amna Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment. The minister was making her comments on World Oceans Day, June 8. The UAE is committed to protecting ocean ecosystems and enhancing their sustainability as a vital resource at both the national and global levels, she was quoted by state news agency Wam as saying. 'Covering more than 70 per cent of the Earth's surface, our oceans are undeniably essential to human lives and livelihoods,' said Dr Al Dahak. 'They are the lifeblood of our planet, regulating our climate, providing sustenance, and supporting countless ecosystems. 'We recognise, however, that our oceans face unprecedented challenges. From the impacts of climate change, evidenced by coral bleaching and rising sea levels, to the pressures of unsustainable fishing practices, the health of our oceans is at risk.' The UN has said that urgent action needs to be taken to address the harm being done to oceans, with 90 per cent of big fish populations depleted, and 50 per cent of coral reefs destroyed. Earlier this year, The National reported how Sylvia Earle, one of the world's most famous oceanographers and marine biologists, had raised the alarm over the threat posed to ocean ecosystems by climate change and overfishing. She said the world is 'perilously close' to tipping the balance of ocean life. 'As a nation deeply connected to the sea, we understand the urgency of these challenges and are committed to leading the way in finding solutions,' said Dr Al Dahak. 'We recognise the responsibility we have to safeguard these resources for future generations, and we are actively implementing strategies to mitigate these threats and restore the health of our marine ecosystems.' The UN states the ocean is key to the global economy with an estimated 40 million people being employed by ocean-based industries by 2030. Oceans also produce at least 50 per cent of the planet's oxygen. They also absorb about 30 per cent of carbon dioxide produced by humans, buffering the impacts of global warming. Dr Al Dahak highlighted the efforts being made by the UAE as examples of its commitment to tackling the issue both regionally and globally. 'Our efforts in mangrove preservation and coral rehabilitation have been highly successful. Work is under way on our coral rehabilitation project to outplant more than four million coral colonies in the emirate's waters by 2030,' she said. 'We are also working to achieve our 100 million mangrove plantation target by 2030. These are goals that we must all work together to achieve. 'Our commitment extends beyond our national waters. The UAE is proud to be the first nation in the Middle East to join the 100 Per Cent Alliance, a UN initiative by the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, calling on coastal states to commit to sustainable management of all ocean areas under their jurisdiction.'
Forbes
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
When Every Day Is World Ocean Day: The Call To Underwater Exploration
Award-winning underwater photographer, writer, ocean conservationist and diver Pier Nirandara. It isn't often that you meet someone as accomplished as Pier Nirandara, who got a jump-start at a very young age. She began her career as Thailand's youngest English-language author, publishing her first national bestselling young adult novel at age 15. Then, she followed up with two more. Now a gifted underwater photographer, award-winning writer, conservationist and modern-day explorer, Nirandara recently photographed aquanaut Fabien Cousteau for his groundbreaking underwater research station in Curaçao, and joined the legendary Dr. Sylvia Earle and other world ocean advocates for a talk at The Explorers Club. Nirandara is also a PADI AmbassaDiver™ and founder of Immersiv Expeditions, where she leads expeditions around the globe for those who wish to take a deep dive and swim with marine wildlife. Based in Bangkok, Capetown and LA, Nirandara's adventurous spirit has taken her diving with sharks and whales in the South Pacific and South Africa, tracking pink dolphins in the Amazon and documenting the ancient practice of shark calling in Papua New Guinea. When the two of us met, we were about as far from the ocean as you can get–at an altitude of 12,000 feet, in Lhasa, Tibet. We spent the day touring the capital city, sampling momos (traditional Tibetan dumplings), shopping for Tibetan textiles and talking about some of the most pressing issues facing the oceans today. 'Climate change, coral bleaching, industrial fishing — these crises are intensifying and intersecting at an alarming pace,' says Nirandara. 'But underlying them all is a deeper issue: disconnection. Without a sense of relationship, there's no sense of responsibility. If we don't feel kinship with the ocean, we won't fight for it,' she continues. 'That's why storytelling — especially from voices and communities historically excluded from the conservation narrative — matters more than ever.' Photographing a swirling school. I was incredibly lucky to grow up in Thailand, a country surrounded by a vast coastline, and one that gave me a profound respect for the sea. I recall years ago waiting restlessly on the shore, much too young to join in on the activity and waiting impatiently as my mother went on a PADI Discover Scuba Dive. She emerged from the water, breathless with wonder. 'That was the most incredible experience of my life,' she exclaimed. To this day, I don't think I've ever felt that level of envy in my life! From that moment, I vowed to get underwater. Despite diving during my entire childhood in Thailand, it was a trip to South Africa that changed everything. Far from the centers of Cape Town and Johannesburg, I traveled to the Wild Coast, an area where few venture, to dive for a phenomenon known as the annual sardine run. Nicknamed the Blue Serengeti, it's the largest migration on earth in terms of biomass. Think sharks, whales, dolphins and birds plowing through bait balls of fish, hunting them in frenzied feeding. The experience blew open my mind. In storytelling, we'd dub this 'the call to adventure.' I flew back to Los Angeles, quit my job as a Hollywood film executive, and pursued a life of underwater storytelling full-time. At home in the ocean I'm a storyteller at heart. My work explores the intersection of travel, adventure, culture and conservation, often through immersive experiences that invite awe as a catalyst for change. With this ethos in mind, I founded Immersiv Expeditions, an adventure company built on the idea that meaningful travel can transform us. We lead small-group journeys around the world to swim with marine wildlife, often in remote, off-the-map locations where nature feels raw and unfiltered. These are not just wildlife encounters—they're invitations to reconnect with the world, and with ourselves. Diving with orcas. From swimming with whales in the open ocean to tracing ancestral stories along remote coastlines, every journey is designed to spark curiosity, deepen connection, and leave guests changed. We also work closely with local operators and captains who know their waters best, grounding each expedition in place, partnership, and purpose. Our ethos is simple: Seek adventure. Embrace discomfort. Explore the unknown. These aren't just bucket list trips — they're opportunities to break out of the routines and habits of daily life to reconnect with something larger than ourselves. A return to place, to self, and to a deeper sense of awe, wonder, and responsibility. A lone marlin Each expedition offers its own kind of magic. The sardine run in South Africa is perhaps the most cinematic — dolphins herding fish, sharks plowing through bait balls, birds raining from the sky. In French Polynesia, we swim with humpback whales as they arrive to give birth and nurse their young in the warm waters of the South Pacific. Imagine playing alongside milk-drunk baby whales! Meanwhile, every spring in Baja, Mexico, mobula rays gather by the thousands, swirling in a hypnotic vortex. Every expedition is unique, and a reminder that the ocean still holds mystery — and immense beauty worth saving. I've also been fortunate enough to join legendary aquatic pioneers like Dr. Sylvia Earle and Fabien Cousteau on initiatives that blend exploration with advocacy. These moments remind me that there's a fierce, brilliant, and deeply committed community fighting for the sea. It inspires me to keep showing up — and to keep lending my pen and lens to a good cause. Melting ice. Because the ocean is the life force of the planet. It regulates our climate, feeds millions, and gives us every second breath we take. Yet for many, it remains distant — something to visit, not something we're a part of. World Oceans Day is an invitation to remember that we are ocean people, whether or not we live by the shore. It's a chance to reconnect with what sustains us, to re-imagine our relationship with water, and to recommit. It's a reminder that protecting the ocean isn't just about saving the sea, but also about saving ourselves. Ghost gear — abandoned fishing lines and nets — quietly ensnaring marine life. Sonar disrupting whale navigation. Coral trampled by unregulated tourism. Even well-meaning travelers can do harm if they don't know better. The damage isn't always visible, but it's real — and often borne by the most marginalized communities. Privilege and accessibility are real issues within the marine space — who has admission to these spaces, and who bears the burden of climate change and rising sea levels. Support Indigenous and local stewardship. Expand and enforce marine protected areas. Reform extractive fishing policies. And on a human level — get people in the water. When someone submerges beneath the surface, watches a pod of dolphins leaping beside the boat, or — if they're lucky enough — meets a whale eye-to-eye, something in them changes. It's why at Immersiv, we're so passionate about getting people up close and personal with the wonders of the ocean. Awe transforms. Mother and calf. The best properties partner with local communities and embed conservation into their core model. Others greenwash with bamboo straws while building over nesting beaches. Real impact requires transparency, not trends — and a commitment to give more than they take. Pier Nirandara, ascending We also need to decrease the barrier to entry to the water — from systemic to socioeconomic inequalities. Access to the ocean is a privilege not always afforded to all, and if we're to truly make a difference, we need a all hands on deck approach. People have to feel a personal bond with the ocean in order to care about its plight. Conservation cannot be inclusive if access isn't. To tell stories that make people feel, and through that feeling, move them to act. I want to bridge the gap between science and storytelling, amplify underrepresented voices, and decolonize conservation narratives. This work isn't only about saving the ocean. It's about remembering that we're not separate from it — we're part of it. And in protecting it, we protect something essential in ourselves.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
'Ignorance' Is Most Pressing Issue Facing Ocean Conservation, Says Sylvia Earle
Credit - Erika Larsen Marine biologist Sylvia Earle could easily rest on her laurels. In a career that began in the 1950s, she has become a pioneer in ocean exploration and conservation. She holds the record for the deepest walk under the sea and was the first female chief scientist at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. But on the cusp of her 90th birthday this August, she has no plans to slow down—and believes that the problems currently facing our oceans now have never been more urgent. Her most recent venture, Mission Blue, aims to create a worldwide network of marine protected areas known as 'Hope Spots.' As of June 2, this includes the Chesapeake Bay. TIME spoke to Earle in May after a dive she made in the country's largest estuary. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Read more: Fishing Communities in the Philippines Are Fighting for their Future as Waters Rise TIME: You have been involved in ocean conservation work for decades. What changes have you noticed since you first started this work? EARLE: We have learned more about the nature of the ocean, of the planet as a whole, and even about ourselves. When I was a child, no one had been to the moon, no one had been to the deepest part of the sea. The internet did not exist. Think about the things we did not know, even about the microbial world, and how influential that is on everything and every one. That was just missing in our understanding of how the world functions. [We've learned more about] the magnitude of our climate and what our role has been in bringing about change. In many cases, we've lost more than during all preceding history. What do you feel is the most pressing issue facing our oceans now? Ignorance, complacency, lack of awareness that the ocean is essential to everyone, everywhere, all the time. Every breath we take, every drop of water we drink, we are connected to the ocean. Our very existence depends not just on the existence of rocks and water. 97% of Earth's water is ocean, and ocean is essential to life, but what really matters is that the ocean has populated with creatures who preceded us, not just by centuries or millennia, but hundreds of billions of years, fine tuning rocks and water into a habitable planet. It just seems perverse that we take so much for granted and are so casual about consuming nature [when] you realize how long it has taken for the natural systems to come to a state where we actually can not just survive here, but thrive here. We know what to do. We just need, in this really critical crossroads in time, to use the knowledge we have and to come together. Everybody is, without exception, vulnerable to the state of the planet, the habitability of Earth. If you can't breathe, nothing else quite matters. Or if you don't have water, if you don't have food. All of the basics anchor back to [the idea that] we've got to take care of what keeps Earth, our home, safe in a universe that is really inhospitable. For those who want to go to Mars and set up housekeeping, I say, good luck. It's a great vision. I think we'll get there for a small number of people, for small periods of time, but it's not an alternative to Earth. We are of the Earth. Actually, we are of the ocean, because it's the ocean that makes our existence possible. As someone who has led more than 100 expeditions and logged more than 7,000 hours underwater, what's one thing you wished more people knew about our oceans? I wish people could understand [that the ocean] is not just a massive amount of salt water, but rather it's a living system. What we put into the ocean changes the chemistry of not just the ocean, but of the planetary functions as a whole. The consequences to planetary chemistry, to planetary security, are right now facing us with the prospect of the sharp changes that we won't be able to control if they get to that tipping point. The good news through all of this, I think, is that the world has not tipped yet into a state from which we cannot recover. We've got all the warning signs, the rapid increase temperature, the rapid increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the rapid loss of forests on the land, and the consequences of clear cutting forests, disrupting the carbon cycle, clear cutting the ocean of fish, of squid, of krill from Antarctica, all of this. We know what we need to do. A big part of Mission Blue's work is identifying 'Hope Spots' in the ocean. When much of our ecosystems are under threat, why is it important to you to highlight these areas? The real purpose underlying the Hope Spot concept is to ignite public awareness and support for protecting nature. The Hope Spot is a means to a broader end, to get people to be aware of why the ocean in particular matters. Land and sea together, the whole world is one big, mostly blue hope spot, but [we want to] energize individual champions, communities, institutions, to come together with a common purpose of protecting a place that they know and love. And this is meant to highlight and enforce and support everybody else who's trying to do something to turn from declined to recovery, one hope spot, one community, one champion at a time. And it is contagious. People want to know, what can I do to make a difference? You are almost 90 years old—what keeps you diving? Why not? I think it's important to keep doing the things you love as long as you can. How can I resist when most of the areas on Earth where life exists have yet to be explored. I want to keep doing it as long as I can breathe. Don't you want to do the same thing? Read more from TIME's Ocean Issue The World Isn't Valuing Oceans Properly Meet the Marine Biologist Working to Protect Our Oceans from Deep-Sea Mining Geopolitical Tensions are Shaping the Future of our Oceans Write to Simmone Shah at
