New Zealand is failing to protect its vast ocean resources. We owe it to the world to act | Helen Clark and Kayla Kingdon-Bebb
It is a great achievement that only a small island island of an island of five million people has managed to share a demand for one of the largest areas of the ocean in the world.
The exclusive economic zone in New Zealand (EEZ) extends more than 4 square meters – an area of 15 times the size of the ground mass.
But these rights bear responsibilities – in particular, to adhere to the administration of this vast ocean lands sustainable for future generations.
With the leaders of Nice at the United Nations Oceal Conference this week, the lights will again fall on the future of our blue planet – and whether the countries are finally willing to “walk” in the final enemy towards the protection of 30 % of our surroundings by 2030.
We stand at a critical turn and must go up New Zealand. Less than 1 % of our country’s oceans are very protected and A harmful practice of bottom swimming pools It needs restriction.
Most New Zealand lives near the coast and understand that our surroundings are Tonga – Treasure – You must take care of it. It is in our blood. Our waters are visited or inhabited Half of the world whale The types of dolphins, we have more types of marine birds than anywhere on the ground.
When EEZS was established in 1982 under the United Nations Convention on Sea Law (UNCLOS), the United Nations was clear: the conservation should be long -term and sustainable use of a priority living resources.
In exchange for this commitment, A whilearoa gained a huge thing: full weight and support for the international community.
The truth is that New Zealand has never enjoyed – and it is unlikely to have – the military ability to apply our marine rights unilaterally. We rely on supporting the United Nations Convention on the Security Law and the mechanisms of compulsory dispute settlement, which support the rule of law on the basis of power.
In the climate of escalating geopolitical tensions and increasing the focus on the Pacific Ocean, it becomes more important.
As fish stocks continue to exhaust in the northern hemisphere and hunting fleets focus in the south, we will increase in the international community to obtain our back.
But we also need to meet our side of the deal. Currently, it is difficult to see how this is the case.
Gave Commitment to protect 30 % of the ocean by 2030More seas in New Zealand should be very protected. Our outdgested marine protection legislation has no longer suitable for purpose, and proposed reforms have been presented for decades.
New Zealand is the only country that is still heading down in the two parties in the South Pacific, and the current coalition government has now prevented international proposals (which, especially New Zealand, has originally submitted) to restrict this harmful practice, which sparked international concern.
While Australia has it The foundation status began For a large marine marine protected area at us in the Lord Haw South Tasman, New Zealand lost work.
And most importantly, Plan to create a reserve or the Kermadik Ranigua The coast of the most northern New Zealand islands have been abandoned. If the sanctuary had passed, we would have brought in the middle of the road to the goal of the protection by 30 % and the protection of one of the few virgin places on the face of the earth.
While there were legitimate issues through which it should be worked to ensure that the sanctuary was created from the rights of the indigenous population, the idea of the idea was the final nail in the coffin in order to reputrate the preservation of the ocean in New Zealand.
After all, there is a widespread understanding at the international level that benefits more than other United Nations Convention on Security Law – who have large EEZS – should be among the leaders to create safe havens for marine biological diversity. Many have already done so, including the United Kingdom, Australia and Chile.
New Zealand has so far failed to follow.
Our marine environment In the event of a sustainable declineWith pollution, overflowing, and the effects of climate change pushes fresherary habitats and species to the edge of the abyss.
Since 1970, some of our commercial fish stocks have decreased dramatically, and in places like GULF/TKAPA Moana in Auckland, fish fisheries have collapsed in Auckland. Although it is the capital of marine birds in the world, 90 % of our marine birds now Threatened or at risk of extinction.
A long time ago, the United Nations Human Rights Convention has been welcomed as one of the greatest achievements of the United Nations – there is no doubt that New Zealand has benefited strongly from huge maritime jurisdiction. But this force on our surroundings comes with great responsibility.
It is time for New Zealand to act, join the global conversation, and start taking care of building a blue backyard for future generations.
We are not only condemned by kiwi – we owe the world.
