Oceans cannot become 'wild west', warns UN chief
Summary
The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has called for strict regulation against unregulated deep-sea mining, emphasizing that the deep sea cannot become a lawless area. At the UN Oceans Conference, leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, supported halting deep-sea mining until more research is done. They also discussed the importance of a treaty to protect international waters and increase marine protected areas to preserve ocean ecosystems.Key Facts
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned against unregulated deep-sea mining.
- French President Emmanuel Macron stated that oceans should not be exploited for profit.
- The discussion relates to a decision by the former U.S. President Trump to allow mining in international waters.
- Deep-sea mining targets precious minerals found in metallic nodules on the seabed.
- Marine scientists are concerned that such mining could harm ocean biodiversity.
- Over 30 countries support halting deep-sea mining until its impacts are better understood.
- The UN Oceans Conference aims to activate a High Seas Treaty to protect 30% of international waters by 2030.
- So far, 47 countries have ratified the treaty, but 60 are needed for activation.
- Environmentalists are concerned about destructive fishing practices not being explicitly banned in the treaty.
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