CANBERRA, Tuesday 31 March 2026 — Greenpeace Australia Pacific has welcomed the Parliament’s ratification of the World Ocean Treaty, creating the chance for world-first excessive seas ocean sanctuaries.
Atmosphere Minister Murray Watt as we speak introduced the treaty, probably the most important international nature safety settlement in a decade, shall be ratified by the Australian parliament. The invoice has now handed the Senate and Home of Representatives with assist from the main events, clearing the ultimate hurdle in direction of ratification.
David Ritter, CEO at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, stated: “Ratifying the World Ocean Treaty is genuinely historic. At a time of unprecedented strain from harmful industrial fishing, extreme local weather impacts, plastic air pollution and mining, Australia has chosen to hitch the worldwide effort to guard our magnificent oceans.”
Australia was one of many first nations to signal its intent to ratify the treaty in 2023, and we’ve a protracted and distinguished historical past of management on international ocean safety. Below the brand new treaty Australia has the required authorized instruments to drive the creation of excessive seas ocean sanctuaries.
“The World Ocean Treaty is probably the most important international nature settlement for a few years, and has the facility to guard the world’s excessive seas and safeguard treasured and endangered wildlife,” Ritter added.
“With the Treaty now in power, Australia has an vital alternative to drive the creation of ocean sanctuaries on the excessive seas which are totally protected, no-take zones, which is able to enable wildlife populations to recuperate and thrive.
“We thrill on the whales and albatross, and all the animals of the deep wild oceans, nice and small–and now the world has the authorized capability to guard them by creating excessive seas sanctuaries; large parks at sea the place nature can thrive.
“We’re an island nation of ocean lovers, and all Australians are entitled to count on that our authorities will take this unbelievable new alternative to guard the ocean.”
Greenpeace is asking on the Australian authorities to construct on our nationwide legacy by guaranteeing that this landmark settlement delivers lasting safety for our treasured oceans.
“We’re calling on Minister Watt to create 5 excessive seas sanctuaries in our area, beginning with a big ocean sanctuary within the Tasman Sea, between Australia and Aotearoa-New Zealand.”
Presently, lower than 1 per cent of the worldwide ocean is extremely or totally protected. Closing the Excessive Seas safety hole from below 1 per cent to 30 per cent in 4 years, to fulfill the globally-agreed 30×30 goal, would require governments to guard ocean areas bigger than total continents and to take action sooner than any conservation effort in historical past. Australia will now have a seat on the desk for the very first Oceans COP, due earlier than February 2027, the place nations will talk about the design and implementation of the treaty.
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Excessive res photos and photographs of Australia’s oceans could be discovered right here
