No fewer than 18 environmental charities and campaign groups have accused the UK government of moving too slowly to enshrine a landmark global ocean agreement into domestic law, warning that continued delay could see the country sidelined from the next phase of international ocean protection.

In a letter sent to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, the organisations criticise what they describe as the “glacial pace of government progress” in ratifying the High Seas Treaty, an accusation that was levelled at the Labour government on the very day the agreement entered into force on the global stage.

Without swift action, the campaigners caution, the UK risks exclusion from the first-ever ‘Ocean COP’ – the conference of parties to the treaty – which could convene as early as August.

The letter is signed by leaders of Greenpeace UK, the Marine Conservation Society, Oceana, the RSPB, and the Wildlife Trusts, among others. While the UK was an early champion of the treaty, campaigners say that momentum has stalled since legislation was introduced last September. The bill must still pass through Parliament before being formally deposited at the United Nations.

Internationally, the treaty now takes effect following ratification by 81 countries, including China, France, Japan, Spain, Mexico and Brazil. Environmental groups argue that the UK’s delay undermines its credibility at a critical moment for ocean governance, and urge ministers to accelerate the process in order to seize what they call “the biggest opportunity any UK government has had to protect our oceans”.

At the heart of the treaty is the potential to create the largest network of marine protected areas ever established on the high seas. These sanctuaries would play a central role in meeting the global ‘30×30’ target to protect at least 30 per cent of the world’s oceans by 2030 – a threshold scientists say is essential to halt biodiversity loss, stabilise the climate and protect food security for billions of people.

Chris Thorne, Greenpeace UK senior oceans campaigner, said: “Nations around the world are celebrating the biggest win for nature in a generation, but our government is missing the party. The UK championed this Treaty from the start, but is now dragging its feet over signing it into law. China, France, Spain and Brazil have all done it – when will the UK finally join them?

“A constellation of ocean sanctuaries teeming with whales, coral reefs and other awe-inspiring nature is now tantalisingly close. But we will only get there if the UK gets serious about putting forward ambitious proposals to protect huge areas of the ocean such as the Sargasso Sea and other parts of the Atlantic.

“It’s time to focus minds and use this once-in-a-generation opportunity to fight back for nature. Because the perils facing the ocean, its wildlife and the communities that depend on it demand urgent action now.”

Beyond fast-tracking ratification, the charities are calling on the UK to take a leadership role in shaping the first wave of high seas marine protected areas. With the Atlantic Ocean on its doorstep, they argue, the UK is uniquely placed to champion protections for ecologically significant regions, including the Sargasso Sea – a floating rainforest of seaweed renowned for its exceptional biodiversity.

As the High Seas Treaty moves from promise to practice, campaigners say the question is no longer whether the world will act to protect international waters, but whether the UK will act quickly enough to help lead the way.

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