UN Oceans Summit: Prince William & Attenborough Speak Out

UN Oceans Summit: Prince William & Attenborough Speak Out

The UN Oceans Summit opened with a powerful interview between Prince William and Sir David Attenborough. They urged the world to act quickly to stop destructive fishing and climate threats.

Why the UN Oceans Summit Matters

The UN Oceans Summit—also called the UN Ocean Conference—is the first global meeting on ocean protection in three years. Oceans face growing threats from climate change, plastic pollution, and overuse. Therefore, this summit comes at a crucial moment.

One of the key goals is to bring the High Seas Treaty into force. This agreement, signed in 2023, promises to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030. However, only 32 out of 60 required countries have ratified it so far.

“What we have done to the deep ocean floor is just unspeakably awful,” said Sir David Attenborough during the interview, recorded at the premiere of his documentary Ocean.

Bottom Trawling and Marine Protected Areas

The Dangers of Bottom Trawling

At the heart of the UN Oceans Summit is the debate over bottom trawling. This fishing method drags heavy nets along the ocean floor, damaging habitats and killing non-target species. In fact, this practice continues in more than 90% of the UK’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), according to Oceana.

“If you did anything remotely like it on land, everybody would be up in arms,” Attenborough noted.

Dr. Amanda Vincent, a marine conservation expert, added:

“Our ocean is 99% of our living space… bottom trawling does a lot of damage.”

Mixed Views from Fishing Communities

Some fishing advocates disagree. They argue that bottom trawling is only harmful when done in sensitive zones. Elsewhere, it can be an efficient way to harvest food from the sea.

Elspeth Macdonald, CEO of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said:

“Bottom trawling is only a destructive process if it’s taking place in the wrong place.”

Even so, scientists stress that banning the method in key areas can help fish stocks recover. In the long run, this benefits both ecosystems and fishermen.

Oceans: The Planet’s Life Support System

The UN Oceans Summit highlights how vital oceans are to life on Earth. They provide up to 80% of the oxygen we breathe and support the planet’s largest ecosystem. Oceans also contribute more than $2.5 trillion to the global economy each year.

Callum Roberts, a professor of marine conservation, explained:

“If the sea hadn’t absorbed more than 90% of the excess heat from greenhouse gases, the Earth would be 36 degrees warmer.”

As a result, oceans play a key role in protecting the planet. However, this buffering effect is having a heavy cost. Rising ocean temperatures are causing coral reefs to bleach and die. Many marine species are now at risk of extinction.

The Urgent Case Against Deep Sea Mining

Another critical issue discussed at the UN Oceans Summit is deep sea mining. Countries have been debating for years how to regulate this activity in international waters.

In April, the U.S. bypassed talks and allowed mining under an executive order. This move sparked backlash from France and China, who said it violated international law.

Scientists warn that deep sea ecosystems are still poorly understood. Therefore, any industrial activity should be paused until more research is done.

“Deep sea biology is the most threatened of global biology, and of what we know the least,” said Prof. Peter Haugan of the International Science Council.

What’s Next After the UN Oceans Summit?

To make the High Seas Treaty legally binding, at least 60 countries must ratify it. Without that support, the promise to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 may fall short.

Sir David Attenborough ended with a heartfelt message:

“I hope leaders will realise how much the oceans matter to all of us—the citizens of the world.”