‘Ratify Ocean Treaty’ and ‘Ocean Treaty now!’ – these were the giant ocean protection messages that Greenpeace Poland activists projected onto the European Solidarity Centre building in the heart of the Gdańsk shipyard in Poland ahead of a high-level meeting between the Polish EU presidency and a delegation of European Commissioners. 

The messages were directed at the Polish government, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union and convenes with European commissioners on Thursday and Friday of this week.

Greenpeace is calling on the Polish government to follow in the footsteps of Spain which become the first European sate to ratify the Global Ocean Treaty this week , and put the urgent ratification of the Treaty  – one that will accelerate ocean conservation efforts and the restoration of marine ecosystems in areas beyond national jurisdiction – firmly on the agenda of future discussions between EU governments.

The Treaty, once ratified, will be a vital legal tool to create Marine Protected Areas on the High Seas. Greenpeace argues that without it, protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030 – a target governments agreed to under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity – will be “practically impossible”.

Anna Ogniewska, environmental policy coordinator for Greenpeace Poland, said: “People need healthy oceans to sustain life on the planet. Not only do the oceans help regulate the climate, they are also a source of food and jobs for millions of people.

“Unfortunately, the condition of marine ecosystems is deteriorating dramatically. Their protection and restoration are crucial for global food and environmental security, and to respond to climate change and biodiversity loss.”

The Polish EU Presidency prioritises activities strengthening security in all its dimensions: external, internal, economic, energy or food. The Global Ocean Treaty could help deliver security through enhancing international cooperation, safeguarding marine ecosystems and eliminating harmful or illegal practices.

Ogniewska added: “The Polish government is already working to protect the oceans, including by joining efforts to restrict the operation of the so-called “shadow fleet,” ships illegally transporting among other things Russian oil. However, this is not enough. Only a global Ocean Treaty can help to genuinely protect our oceans and increase security on the high seas. The Polish government must lead global efforts to protect the oceans, enhance security and put this historic agreement into force.”

The Treaty needs to be ratified at the EU level as well as by each EU government individually. The EU, plus France, Latvia, Romania, Slovenia and Spain have already ratified the Treaty – but only Spain and France have so far submitted its ratifications to the UN. Poland and other EU governments have not.

The III UN oceans conference will be held in France this June. The Global Ocean Treaty will enter into force if at least 60 countries ratify it by then. So far, 17 countries have ratified the Treaty.

Greenpeace activists are calling for ratification by the Polish government as soon as possible, as well as support from the Polish EU presidency and the European Commission to speed up ratification by other EU governments.

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