Greenpeace finally calls for a clear commitment to the sea protection of Austria

For the world day of the oceans tomorrow Sunday, Greenpeace is calling on the Austrian federal government to make a clear and binding manner for the protection of the oceans. Because a Greenpeace report shows that the state of the world’s oceans is worrying than ever before. From June 9th to 13th, the UN countries in Nice meet for the UN Ocean Conference. The focus is on the global universe protection agreement, which only comes into force when it has been ratified by at least 60 countries. So far, the agreement has only ratified 31 countries. Greenpeace calls on the Austrian federal government to finally ratify the agreement.

Ursula Bittner, Greenpeace spokeswoman: “Our seas are overfished and dirty. The states have to pull together in Nice in Nice to stop the exploitation of the sea. Austria’s federal government also has to meet their responsibility and finally ratify the high -sea protection agreement.”

The global university protection agreement protects endangered species and habitats beyond national borders. This year’s UN Ocean Conference in Nice could therefore become the most important milestone for protecting the sea since the agreement was passed in 2023. A Greenpeace report from October 2024 shows the worrying state of the sea. Without effective protection of the Hochsee, the global 30×30 goal – i.e. 30 percent of the oceans by 2030 – remains unreachable. If the protection of the oceans progresses at the current pace, the 30 percent goal is only reached 2107-almost 80 years late.

Greenpeace also calls for a worldwide moratorium against deep -sea mountain construction. This industry could permanently damage the sensitive ecosystems. “Deepseberg construction means destruction in stock. For short -term profits, we risk that unique ecosystems are destroyed that have not recovered for centuries. The deep sea is one of the last untouched habitats on earth – to protect it is a question of global responsibility”says Bittner.

Link zum englischsprachigen Bericht „From Commitment to Action: Achieving the 30×30 Target Through The Global Ocean Treaty“ (2024): https://act.gp/Greenpeace_Report