Michael Gove calls for third of world’s oceans to be protected

Almost a third of the world’s oceans should be protected by 2030, Environment Secretary Michael Gove has urged.

The UK Government is backing calls to treble internationally-agreed targets to protect sea life and habitats by the end of the next decade, as countries meet at the UN General Assembly in New York to discuss ocean conservation.

Less than 10% of the world’s seas are currently designated as marine protected areas (MPAs), which can conserve sea life and habitats from damaging activities such as mining and destructive fishing.

Countries have agreed a target of designating a tenth of the seas and coastlines as protected areas globally by 2020, under the UN’s Convention of Biological Diversity.

At a meeting in Egypt in November, negotiations begin on a new target, and the UK Government is backing calls by campaigners including endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh for 30% of the oceans to be protected by 2030.

Campaigners warn the oceans and their wildlife are under increasing threat from problems such as climate change, plastic pollution and overfishing.

Mr Gove said: “Protection of our oceans is a global challenge which requires global action.

“The UK has already safeguarded vast swathes of precious marine habitats, but we must go further.

“Only by working together can we protect our shared home and ensure our marine life continues to be a source of awe and wonder for future generations.”

Mr Pugh recently completed a 328-mile (528 km) swim along the length of the English Channel, calling for more ambitious ocean protection targets that would see 30% of the oceans fully protected by 2030.

He said “the pain of my 49 days’ swim has quickly disappeared” in light of the announcement the UK Government was backing the plan.

“It took my breath away. If this is supported by other nations and followed through, it will be the most important moment for ocean conservation in history.”

But he added: “While we welcome this landmark decision, we need to focus not only on the number but the nature of the protection.

“Fully protected MPAs is what it takes for these oceans to fully recover. Without this a protected area is like a frame without a picture.”

Ministers said 36% of England’s waters are already safeguarded as MPAs, with recent proposals for 41 more marine conservation zones to protect species such as the short snouted seahorse and peacock’s tail seaweed.

Environmental campaigners have welcomed the plans but warned the Government must afford real protection to the seabed and fragile habitats in British waters, with Mr Pugh saying only a fraction was fully protected.

Across UK Overseas Territories, the Government has also pledged to safeguard more than four million square kilometres of ocean by 2020.

Callum Roberts, professor of marine conservation at the University of York, said protecting areas of the ocean could boost fisheries to benefit people as well as wildlife.

“If you stop fishing an area, the fish quickly become bigger and more abundant, producing many times more offspring. These eggs and young fish spill into fishing grounds and increase catches.

“This means that by fishing less, in time it is actually possible to catch more fish, at less expense from more prolific stocks,” he said.

Joan Edwards, director of Public affairs and living seas at The Wildlife Trusts, said:

“The Wildlife Trusts completely support Mr Gove’s call for 30% of the world’s oceans to be designated as Marine Protected Areas. But designation is only the start. If MPAs are to be effective and allow<br>our oceans to recover, they must be well managed – damaging activities, such as destructive fishing techniques, must be banned.”