The world's oceans finally receives global protection

​After two decades of discussions a historic United Nations Ocean Treaty on protecting and preserving international waters has been adopted.

Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta says the adoption of this treaty is a significant step in the collective effort to safeguard oceans for future generations.

“Our connection to the ocean is a fundamental part of what makes us New Zealanders, as is the seriousness with which we take our kaitiaki responsibilities. This treaty reflects those values on a global scale.”

Years of negotiations had been stalled due to disagreements on funding and fishing rights.​

Mahuta tweeted her response calling the treaty adoption: "A milestone day!"

Nearly two-thirds of the ocean lies outside of any nation's territorial jurisdiction or control having a remarkable amount of biodiversity that is increasingly impacted from human activity, climate change and ocean acidification.​

The treaty aims to protect biodiversity in the high seas and establish global rules to lessen environmental impacts.​

To preserve vital marine areas beyond national jurisdiction it requires countries to collaborate and crackdown on industrial fishing, deep sea drilling, plastic pollution, sediment runoff from land, seabed mining, and warming sea temperatures.​

The Green Party says it is a progressive and historic movement for ocean conservation, but it's worried there isn’t enough momentum for protecting New Zealand's waters.

“Aotearoa is still well out of step with global progress on protecting our oceans. The Government needs to show leadership and commit to protecting 30 percent of Aotearoa’s oceans by 2030,” says Green Party Oceans and Fisheries spokesperson Eugenie Sage.

“The time is now to give our oceans the protection they deserve.”

Adding that Aotearoa is at risk of losing precious habitats forever.

“Right now the Labour Government is not doing anywhere near enough to protect our own ocean and control the impacts of industrial fishing. The clock is ticking and we’re at risk of losing precious habitats forever."

​A race to ratification is now underway as the Treaty is translated into all of the official UN languages.

Greenpeace Aotearoa says this Treaty is a win for all life on this planet and calls for those same governments which agreed to it to urgently begin delivering vast ocean sanctuaries.

"The science is clear, we must protect at least 30% of the oceans by 2030 to give the oceans a chance to recover and thrive."​