despite being initially signed by 115 nations in 2023, the BBNJ treaty requires ratification from at least 60 countries by September 20th, 2025 to enter into force. However,progress towards this goal has been slow since its creation,with only 18 additional countries ratifying at the recent UN Ocean conference in June.As of now, the treaty is still short of reaching the required number of ratifications.
The question remains – will the BBNJ treaty effectively protect sea turtles? While some measures outlined in the treaty such as reducing bycatch and establishing marine protected areas (MPAs) in international waters have potential to mitigate threats faced by turtles at sea, there is currently no clear plan for implementing these actions. The ratification process will likely be followed by the establishment of governing bodies and financial systems to further define how the treaty’s contents will be put into action.
Dr. George Shillinger emphasizes that ”Upwell’s work protecting turtles in their ocean habitats relies on developing political pathways like those outlined in the BBNJ Treaty that promote international collaboration and commitment to safeguarding turtles throughout their range.” He also acknowledges that while forging these agreements may be challenging, global conservation efforts for highly migratory species are not possible without transboundary strategies.Thus,Upwell continues to support initiatives aimed at fostering international cooperation.
If ratification fails? It could mean a longer road towards creating an international agreement. Collaborative frameworks have played a crucial role in conservation efforts for various migratory and marine species in the past. As a notable example, the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling effectively halted commercial whaling in many countries and helped reverse the decline of whale populations.
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This is so important for the future of our planet!