The Global Ocean Commission, comprising leaders from government, science, business, released their new report last week titled "From Decline to Recovery--A Rescue Package for the Global Ocean."
The report describes the demise of the high seas, the vast ocean area that is not protected by national jurisdictions. The commission identified five overarching problems followed by recommended actions to take to reverse the trend. Former Prime Minister Paul Martin, a commissioner, says that Canada has a major role to play in taking action.
“There is one country that has the longest coastline in the world and has a large responsibility for the health of the Arctic Ocean in particular,” Mr. Martin said. “If we don’t act on the oceans, then all of the riches that exist within the 200-mile limit are going to get frittered away.” He also addressed the cost of action, saying that "the cost is infinitesimally small compared to what the alternative is.”
Over 18 months, the Global Ocean Commission listened to experts from science, academia, business and NGOs and identified eight proposals in the rescue package "Mission Ocean" that show what needs to be done to stimulate a cycle of ocean recovery.
- UN Sustainable Goal for the Ocean
- Governing the High Seas
- No More Overfishing
- Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing
- Plastics - Keeping them out of the Ocean
- Offshore Oil & Gas
- Global Ocean Accountability Board
- Creating a High Seas Regeneration Zone
“The Commission’s report sets out practical actions for stopping the decline and restoring the global ocean. Ocean Networks Canada will participate in taking action through monitoring ocean health and by developing new technologies for tracking ocean use.” — Dr. Kate Moran, President & CEO, Ocean Networks Canada
