UNOC WRAP UP

As the UN Ocean Conference ends, we want to celebrate a transformative moment for our ocean. Over a week, scientists, policymakers, campaigners, government representatives, NGOs and committed participants came together with one mission: to protect and restore the ocean. Here are some of the highlights of the event:

🇬🇧 UK announced plans to close 30,000 sq km to bottom trawling

After over 16,000 people supported the e-action promoted by Only One, Oceana and Blue Marine, the UK announced plans to ban bottom trawling in 41 offshore MPAs. Hats off to Secretary of State for the Environment, Steve Reed, for this visionary and decisive move to protect UK biodiversity from the ravages of bottom trawling.

https://observer.co.uk/news/oceans/article/overdue-ban-will-benefit-all-of-us

🏁 High Seas Treaty to be enforced…soon.

During UNOC week 19 countries delivered their High Seas Treaty ratifications, also known as BBJN Agreement. We’re now only shy of ten from achieving full ratification of the High Seas Treaty. The UK pledged to ratify by the end of 2025.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jun/10/ministers-pledge-uk-action-to-ratify-high-seas-treaty-by-end-of-year 

🚨Largest MPA in the world

French Polynesia announced the creation of the world’s largest networks of marine protected areas, including its entire Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of almost 5M km2. The commitment also includes 1.1M km2 of highly or fully protected ocean.

https://time.com/7292420/french-polynesia-announces-new-marine-protected-area/

📣 MPA expansion – Chile

At the third plenary session, Chile announced its commitment to ocean protection by expanding Juan Fernández MPA. This effort will add 350,000km² of protection. With this, Chile’s EEZ protection will go over 50%, placing it among the world’s leading ocean guardians: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/paid-content-andy-mann-juan-fernandez-islands

❄️ Urgent Call to Protect Antarctica

The new report, All Eyes on Antarctica, supported by over 70 experts, reveals the alarming consequences of industrial krill fishing on Antarctica’s fragile ecosystem. The report was launched during a hugely successful UNOC side event at Ocean House. Read the full report at www.our-antarctica.com

🌊 World leaders renewed calls for a moratorium on deep sea mining: https://news.mongabay.com/2025/06/madness-world-leaders-call-for-deep-sea-mining-moratorium-at-un-ocean-summit/