Michael Gove urges world leaders to back trebling protected oceans target by 2030
2 min read
Michael Gove will call on world leaders to support giving nearly a third of the world’s oceans protected status in a bid to curb the impacts of environmental damage.
The Environment Secretary will urge the UN to treble its target of marine protected areas (MPAs) to 30% by 2030 when countries meet at its General Assembly in New York.
Currently just 3.7% of the world’s seas enjoy that status, although the body is working towards hitting a target of 10% by 2020.
MPAs are created to rein in the effects of climate change, plastic pollution and overfishing on the marine environment.
Mr Gove’s call to dramatically raise the internationally-agreed target comes amid a campaign by British endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh.
The Environment Secretary 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, who recently swam 330 miles along the length of the English Channel, told Sky News: “It feels like my long swim was all worth it.
“I swam for 49 days, the full length of the English Channel, and I was struck by how little wildlife I saw. It really worries me.
“This announcement is an important start to putting things right.”
Shadow fisheries, flooding and water minister, Luke Pollard said: “Our oceans require urgent protection from the threats of overfishing, plastic pollution and climate change causing rises in sea temperatures.
“To make commitments to our marine environment real, the government should immediately adopt Labour’s proposals for national marine parks and ensure that all of the world’s oceans are protected from plastics pollution, which is why they must stop turning a blind eye to the mass export of plastics from the UK to countries which allow this material to end up in the sea.”
PoliticsHome Newsletters
PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe
