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[THREAD] It’s high time we protected the high seas.
Right now, the UN has a once-in-a-generation chance to pass the treaty that would safeguard international waters—including 10 potential marine protected areas identified in our new report:
![[THREAD] It’s high time we protected the high seas. Right now, the UN has a once-in-a-generation chance to pass the treaty that would safeguard international waters—including 10 potential marine protected areas identified in our new report:](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EVghVO_WAAEFv2P.jpg "[THREAD] It’s high time we protected the high seas. Right now, the UN has a once-in-a-generation chance to pass the treaty that would safeguard international waters—including 10 potential marine protected areas identified in our new report:")
Right now, the UN has a once-in-a-generation chance to pass the treaty that would safeguard international waters—including 10 potential marine protected areas identified in our new report:
These sub-Pacific mountain ranges are about as long as the U.S. East Coast, home to leatherbacks and other threatened species—and increasingly endangered by destructive fishing.
The nutrient-rich waters attract tuna, whales, and other wonders.
Unfortunately, this thermal “dome” is constantly imperiled by recreational and commercial fishing and wildlife tourism.
Unfortunately, this thermal “dome” is constantly imperiled by recreational and commercial fishing and wildlife tourism.
Threatened species like Gould’s petrel use these biodiverse waters between Australia and New Zealand as a feeding ground. Scientists expect more vulnerable species to flock there as waters warm under future climate scenarios.
Northwest of Hawaii, cold-water corals thrive at roughly double the depth of the Grand Canyon. But cold water means slow-growing, making them especially vulnerable to bottom fishing.
Home to the largest contiguous seagrass beds in the world and one of the rare shallow-reef ecosystems on the high seas, this Indian Ocean expanse was opened to oil and gas exploration in 2018.
This sea is densely populated with phytoplankton, the foundation of the ocean food chain. Unfortunately, it’s heavily trafficked by ships and vulnerable to pollution and spills.
This biological hot spot off West Africa is critical to the migration and reproduction of bigeye and yellowfin tuna and nurtures young tuna, swordfish, sharks, and rays. It also faces severe threats from illegal fishing.
Off southwestern Africa, deep North Atlantic and Antarctic waters mix, drawing a wide array and rich density of marine life.
Fishing’s footprint is relatively light here, but protection is needed to safeguard against irreversible damage.
Fishing’s footprint is relatively light here, but protection is needed to safeguard against irreversible damage.
Best known for its sargassum seaweeds, this Atlantic expanse supports 280 fish species and 23 types of birds—including 10 animal species found nowhere else.
But with only temporary protections, the region faces extreme exploitation from commercial fishing.
But with only temporary protections, the region faces extreme exploitation from commercial fishing.
Every one of these potential marine protected areas is crucial to the health of our ocean, our planet, and ourselves.
For more on how the UN high seas treaty can make their protection possible, see our new report
https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/reports/2020/03/a-path-to-creating-the-first-generation-of-high-seas-protected-areas?utm_campaign=conservation_olhs_oceans_______&utm_source=twitter_environment&utm_medium=social&utm_content=report_general____linkcard_&utm_term=___
For more on how the UN high seas treaty can make their protection possible, see our new report
https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/reports/2020/03/a-path-to-creating-the-first-generation-of-high-seas-protected-areas?utm_campaign=conservation_olhs_oceans_______&utm_source=twitter_environment&utm_medium=social&utm_content=report_general____linkcard_&utm_term=___
