
Prince William says ocean conservation is a challenge like no other ahead of U.N. summit
The third U.N. Ocean Conference opens Monday, with Britain's Prince William among those raising the pressure on nations to turn decades of promises into real protection for the sea.
The summit comes as just 2.7% of the ocean is effectively protected from destructive extractive activities, according to the nonprofit Marine Conservation Institute. That is far below the target agreed under the '30x30' pledge to conserve 30% of land and sea by 2030.
Atop this year's agenda is ratification of the High Seas Treaty. Adopted in 2023, the treaty would for the first time allow nations to establish marine protected areas in international waters, which cover nearly two-thirds of the ocean and are largely ungoverned.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Britain's Prince William said Sunday that rising sea temperatures, plastic pollution and overfishing were putting pressure on fragile ecosystems and the people who depend on them.
'What once seemed an abundant resource is diminishing before our eyes,' William, heir to the British throne, told the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco. He described the challenge as being 'like none we have faced before'.
'Put simply: the ocean is under enormous threat, but it can revive itself. But, only if together, we act now,' he told the meeting of investors and policymakers.
Mauro Randone, regional projects manager at the World Wildlife Fund's Mediterranean Marine Initiative, said that 'it's the Wild West out there with countries just fishing anywhere without any sort of regulation, and that needs to change.'
'The high seas belong to everyone and no one practically at the same time, and countries are finally committing to establish some rules,' he added.
The ocean is critical in stabilizing Earth's climate and sustaining life. It generates 50% of the oxygen we breathe, absorbs around 30% of carbon dioxide emissions and captures more than 90% of the excess heat caused by those emissions. Without a healthy ocean, experts warn, climate goals will remain out of reach.
The treaty will only come into force once 60 countries ratify it. As of Monday, just 32 countries had. Advocates hope UNOC can build enough momentum to cross the threshold, which would allow for the first official Oceans Conference of Parties.
'Two-thirds of the ocean is areas beyond national jurisdiction — that's half our planet,' said Minna Epps, director of global ocean policy at the International Union for Conservation of Nature. 'We cannot possibly protect 30% of the ocean if it doesn't include the high seas.'
South Korea, France and the European Union have championed the treaty, but most large ocean nations have yet to ratify it, including the rest of the G20. Thousands of attendees are expected in Nice, from delegates and heads of state to scientists and industry leaders. The United States has yet to confirm a formal delegation.
Beyond new commitments, the conference highlights the growing gap between marine protection declarations and real-world conservation.
France, the conference co-host, claims to have surpassed the 30% target for marine protection. But environmental groups say only 3% of French waters are fully protected from harmful activities such as bottom trawling and industrial fishing.
'The government declares these as protected areas, but this is a lie,' said Enric Sala, founder of the National Geographic Pristine Seas marine reserve project. 'Most of it is political box-ticking. It's all paper parks.'
That criticism is echoed across the continent. A new World Wildlife Fund report found that although more than 11% of Europe's marine area is designated for protection, just 2% of E.U. waters have management plans in place.
Fabien Boileau, director of marine protected areas at France's Office for Biodiversity, acknowledged the presence of bottom trawling in French protected areas, but said it was part of a phased strategy.
'In France, we made the choice to designate large marine protected areas with relatively low levels of regulation at first, betting that stronger protections would be developed over time through local governance,' he said. 'Today, we're gradually increasing the number of zones with stricter protections within those areas.'
Advocates say industrial fishing lobbies continue to resist stricter protections, despite evidence that well-managed reserves boost long-term fisheries through the 'spillover effect,' whereby marine life flourishes in nearby waters.
'Protection is not the problem — overfishing is the problem,' Sala said. 'The worst enemy of the fishing industry is themselves.'
The conference will feature 10 panels on topics such as blue finance, sustainable fisheries and plastic pollution. Deep sea mining is expected to feature in broader discussions, while small island states are likely to use the platform to advocate for increased climate adaptation funding.
The outcome of these discussions will form the basis of the Nice Ocean Action Plan, a declaration of voluntary commitments to be adopted by consensus and presented at the United Nations in New York this July.
'There cannot be a healthy planet without a healthy ocean,' said Peter Thomson, U.N. special envoy for the ocean. 'It's urgent business for us all.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Bus users protected from price hikes as Rachel Reeves gives update on £3 cap
Rachel Reeves is expected to extend the nationwide price cap on single trips for bus passengers in the Spending Review - which was due to run out at the end of the year Bus passengers will be protected from fare hikes as the £3 cap on single tickets is set to be extended. In a major boost for bus users, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to protect the nationwide price cap on single trips, which had been due to run out at the end of the year. The cost-of-living lifeline will now be in place across England until March 2027, the Mirror understands. Single fares could rise by up to £12 in the worst hit areas if the cap is lifted. The Department for Transport previously said a journey between Leeds and Scarborough could cost £15, while a fare from Hull to York would hit £8.50. The decision, which will be confirmed in the Spending Review on Wednesday, is a major boost to millions of Brits who rely on buses every day. A Treasury source told the Mirror: 'We understand the cost of living is a priority for the British people. That is why we are investing in Britain's renewal to make working people better off. Rachel Reeves' Spending Review major predictions on what will and won't be in it 'That's why we're keeping bus fares down by extending the £3 cap to put more money in people's pockets.' The cap covers around 5,000 bus routes across England, costing the Treasury around £150million a year to keep fares at £3. The Tories previously introduced a £2 cap on bus fares but only provided funding until the end of 2024. Last year, Keir Starmer said it would rise to £3 for 2025 but its future was uncertain beyond the end of this year. A Government source said: "Buses provide lifeline access to opportunity for people across the country. "Keeping fares affordable is a top priority for the Transport Secretary, as our landmark Buses Bill overhauls how services are delivered. Better buses are around the corner with Labour." The Chancellor will unveil plans to splash tens of billions of pounds on public services such as the NHS, defence and schools over the next three years in the long-awaited Spending Review on Wednesday. But other departments are expected to feel the squeeze, with cuts looming to unprotected areas such as local government and the Home Office. Ministers have been locked in fraught negotiations for months over their budgets. The final settlement for the Home Office was only signed off on Monday after a row with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper over cash for policing. Ms Reeves will also announce funding for infrastructure investment, including big ticket items like road, rail and energy projects. She will confirm changes to Treasury rules to make it easier to pour cash into projects outside of London and the South East. It comes after a blitz of announcements, including some £15.6 billion of spending on public transport in England's city regions, and £16.7 billion for nuclear power projects, the bulk of which will fund the new Sizewell C plant in Suffolk. Ms Reeves also confirmed on Monday that some 9 million pensioners would be eligible for the winter fuel allowance this year after backtracking on the unpopular decision to strip the benefit from all but the poorest pensioners. The Government also announced plans to expand free school meals eligibility to another 500,000 children whose families get Universal Credit, in a major win for the Mirror's campaign to end hunger in classrooms.


STV News
2 hours ago
- STV News
UK sanctions Israeli ministers over Gaza comments
Israeli government ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have been sanctioned by the UK government for 'inciting violence against the Palestinian people'. The sanction means their assets will be frozen, and the men will be banned from entering the UK. The UK is taking action alongside Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway. In a joint statement with foreign ministers from the four other countries who have announced sanctions, foreign secretary David Lammy said the two senior Israelis had incited 'serious abuses of Palestinian human rights'. The statement added: 'We have engaged the Israeli government on this issue extensively, yet violent perpetrators continue to act with encouragement and impunity. 'These actions are not acceptable. This is why we have taken action now – to hold those responsible to account.' Foreign Secretary David Lammy announces sanctions against Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir and SmotrichLammy says the men 'have been inciting violence against Palestinian people for months' He reiterated the government's support for a two-state solution — ITVPolitics (@ITVNewsPolitics) June 10, 2025 David Lammy has described Israel's actions as 'monstrous' and condemned the actions of 'extremist' settlers in the West Bank, saying Netanyahu's administration has a responsibility to intervene to halt their actions. In a sign of mounting pressure on Israel over its actions in Gaza, last month the UK suspended trade talks with Israel and sanctioned West Bank settlers. Lammy said: 'We have suspended negotiations with this Israeli government on a new free trade agreement.' Adding that the UK is reviewing its co-operation with the Israeli administration, he said: 'The Netanyahu government's actions have made this necessary.' The sanctions were sparked by a series of comments made by the two men about Gaza – finance minister Smotrich recently said he would allow 'not even a grain of wheat' into Gaza, that 'Gaza will be entirely destroyed', and Palestinian people 'will leave in great numbers to third countries.' Security minister Ben-Gvir has also said Israel should 'encourage the voluntary emigration of the residents of Gaza', and that 'there is no need to bring in aid'. The government has been drawing up the plans to sanction the two men for months. Ben-Gvir also called for the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem to be replaced with a synagogue. Israel's government responded to the sanctions saying they were 'outrageous'. Minister of foreign affairs Gideon Sa'ar's said: 'We were informed about the UK decision to include two of our Ministers on the British Sanctions list. 'It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kind of measures. 'I discussed it earlier today with PM Netanyahu and we will hold a special government meeting early next week to decide on our response to this unacceptable decision.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country

The National
3 hours ago
- The National
Independent Scotland would break ties with Israel, says Stephen Flynn
Speaking to The News Agents podcast, the SNP Westminster leader also said he does not believe it would "wise" for SNP MPs to visit Israel, but he would be "amazed" if they decided to as they are "not daft". He said the UK's position on the atrocities being committed by Israel in Gaza has been "so weak for far too long". Asked if an independent Scotland under the SNP would close embassies in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv and if it would break off diplomatic relations with Israel, Flynn replied "yes" to both questions. On whether he would advise SNP MPs to not visit Israel, Flynn said: "I don't think they'd be wise to visit Israel. READ MORE: UK sanctions Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich over Gaza "I imagine they would probably get the same response that the couple of Labour MPs did at the airport a few months ago, which was where they got taken aside and turned back home." He went on: "It's up to them to decide what they want to do. I'd be amazed if any of them did, because they're not daft, and they probably know that they would get turned around and stuck on a plane right back out Israel. "Look, I'm deeply, deeply upset and angry about what's happened in Gaza and what continues to happen in Gaza, and the fact that the UK position has been so weak for far too long in respect of this. And I think it's important that you convey your views to people who are rational actors." In April, Labour MPs were denied entry to the occupied West Bank. Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang said they were "astounded at the unprecedented step taken by the Israeli authorities" to refuse British MPs entry. (Image: News Agents) A statement from the pair said they had 'spoken out in Parliament in recent months' on Israel's war on Gaza and parliamentarians "should feel free to speak truthfully in the House of Commons without fear of being targeted'. Flynn's comments come after the UK Government sanctioned two far-right Israeli ministers over their comments about Gaza. Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's security minister, and Bezalel Smotrich, finance minister, will have their assets frozen and travel bans imposed. Smotrich approved the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. He also campaigned against allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza. Ben-Gvir has advocated for the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza, and said that the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem should be replaced with a synagogue. Later on in the podcast, Flynn was asked about whether he intends to contest the leadership of the SNP in the future. READ MORE: Freedom Flotilla Coalition gives update on Madleen crew detained by Israel While he is going to campaign to become an MSP, he stressed he backs John Swinney as SNP leader and believes he can "make sure we're fighting fit to go on and win the election" at Holyrood next year. Flynn said: "It is my intention to stand for Holyrood, I'm seeking to be a candidate for the Scottish Parliament elections next year, in an area that's probably similar to the seat I hold at Westminster." He went on: "When Humza Yousaf stood down as First Minister, the first person I called to take over was John Swinney. When Nicola Sturgeon, prior to that, announced that she was standing down again, the first person I called to take over was John Swinney. Now that's a wee bit of an insight into my thinking. "And my thinking is very clear that John Swinney is by far the best person for the job. I think he's the best politician in Scotland. I think he displays that in Holyrood with acumen on a weekly basis. "And I'm pretty confident over the course of next 11 months, he can make sure we're fighting fit to go on and win the election. The polls would indicate that we are going to win the election. "But it can't be about polls. It has to be about policies and people. And when the SNP is focused on that and our ultimate goal of independence, we tend to do well."