Things are looking up for conservation of the world’s oceans. A major environmental conference of governments and NGOs has called on nations to set aside at least 30 per cent of them as “highly protected” areas by 2030.

However, opposition from China, Japan and South Africa may undermine chances of success, say delegates.

The ambitious and controversial Motion 53 was passed in Honolulu, Hawaii, at the World Conservation Congress, held once every four years by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the congress, President Tommy Remengesau of Palau “challenged” the IUCN to follow the Pacific nation’s example by setting the 30 per cent target for protected areas. Only about 2 per cent of the world’s oceans are currently protected.

The motion was passed with 129 states and government agencies in favour, and 16 against. Among NGOs, which made up a separate voting category, 621 were for and 37 against.

But strong opposition was raised in pre-vote statements by China, Japan and South Africa, each with substantial marine zones that they are allowed to commercially exploit. China and South Africa, for example, said the target was too ambitious and unreachable.

China “values the health of oceans” and wants to extend marine protected areas, but the proposal should have focused on the sustainable use of marine resources rather than the size of area to be protected, a foreign ministry official said.

Symbolic only?

IUCN resolutions do not carry the weight of law. However, approval by governments and civil society, and the backing of scientific expertise, make the congress an important platform for creating and implementing international treaties and domestic legislation.

But without consensus, and with major nations opposed, delegates said privately that the vote could prove to be largely symbolic.

They said that China and other countries were concerned that the resolution could influence further, legally binding agreements under the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity, which calls for 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas to be protected by 2020.

The IUCN said the ultimate aim of the resolution was to create “a fully sustainable ocean, at least 30 per cent of which has no extractive activities”. However, in a gesture to some small Pacific nations that are heavily reliant on fishing, the resolution adds that this is “subject to the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities”.

The congress also calls for the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to set about developing a mechanism to ensure “conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction”.

Oceans, which make up more than two-thirds of the Earth’s surface, act as a buffer to climate change by absorbing carbon emissions and slowing the rise in global temperatures. The IUCN’s Explaining Ocean Warming report, released on 5 September, said the oceans had prevented a rise of 36 °C in global temperatures in the industrial era.

Motion 53 says that marine protected areas are “important tools that help conserve the critical habitats, ecosystem services and biodiversity that support human life”. It cites scientific studies that support protection of at least 30 per cent of the ocean to help increase resilience to climate change and sustain long-term ocean health.

Not enough?

Some conservationists – including scientists with iconic status such as E. O. Wilson – say that a third is not enough. In his latest book, Half-Earth, he argues that 50 per cent of the planet’s surface should be designated as natural reserves, and that these should be as interconnected as possible to help preserve biodiversity.

He told reporters in Honolulu this week that such a target is possible. “For oceans, it is no big problem,” he said.

Wilson also says fishing in the open seas beyond national boundaries should stop. Setting aside half the world for reserves on land and sea could save 80 to 90 per cent of species, he estimates.

Last month, protecting exceptional areas that cannot currently be included in the World Heritage List because they are found on the high seas, outside any national jurisdiction. These include sunken coral islands, floating rainforests, giant undersea volcanoes, and spires of rock resembling sunken cities.

“The high seas have outstanding value on the global scale, yet they have little protection,” said Dan Laffoley, principal advisor on marine science and conservation for the IUCN and co-author of the report. “These areas are exposed to threats such as pollution and overfishing. It is therefore crucial to mobilise the international community to ensure their long-term conservation.”

Spiritual attachment