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HIGH SEAS TOOLKIT RISE UP for a Strong High Seas Treaty

BACKGROUND

Why is RISE UP concerned about the High Seas?

Despite its size and importance, only 1.2% of the High Seas have been protected. Whilst there are laws and regulations to protect areas within national waters, for most of the High Seas there are no clear rules to establish protected areas, leaving its marine life vulnerable to exploitation.

Under its goal to “Unite for stronger global ocean governance” RISE UP has identified the following priority action:

A new legally-binding UN agreement on High Seas biodiversity that ensures robust protection including the rapid establishment of a network of fully protected marine protected areas, and enhances cooperation among global, regional and sectoral bodies towards achieving a 100% sustainable ocean.

The Road to a New High Seas Treaty

After almost 20 years of discussion, the United Nations member governments are in the final stages of negotiating a new Treaty that would ensure the meaningful protection of ocean life found in this area. The latest negotiating conference (IGC4) took place from 7-18 March 2022 in New York. It was unable to conclude negotiations, so governments have agreed to hold a final meeting (IGC5), which will hopefully still take place this year.

As these negotiations continue over the coming months, it is critical that supporters RISE UP at key moments and call on world leaders to urgently support the adoption of an ambitious High Seas Treaty that will safeguard half the planet, for the sake of the ocean, the planet, and all of us.

The next key opportunity ahead of IGC5 to highlight why we need a strong High Seas Treaty finalised this year will be the United Nations Ocean Conference that will take place from 27 June-1 July 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal. Governments will be committing to ocean action, and we must ensure that an ambitious High Seas Treaty is a central part of this action plan.

In particular we urge you to:

  • Call on your government to make progress on negotiations to ensure an ambitious Treaty is finalised in 2022.
  • Amplify via social media the importance of governments agreeing an ambitious strong Treaty using the RISE UP social media assets.
  • Share this call to action and urge your networks to sign the global Only One High Seas petition. The petition page is available in EnglishFrench and Portuguese.

Please use this toolkit to help support us RISE UP for High Seas protection.

Your Questions Answered about RISE UP's engagement in protecting the High Seas.

Also available in French and Portuguese

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

ABOUT THE TOOLKIT

The contents within this toolkit are designed to support the RISE UP network in amplifying the need to finalise a strong and ambitious UN Treaty to protect the High Seas in 2022.

Provided below are Talking Points and some suggested social posts for use by RISE UP partners to join the online conversation and take action for a strong High Seas Treaty.

KEY MESSAGES

Click below to download the RISE UP Top 5 High Seas Talking Points.

Also available in French and Portuguese

HASHTAGS

#RiseUp4TheOcean #HighSeasTreaty

#ListenToTheOcean #IGC5 #HighSeas #UNOceanConference

SUGGESTED SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

The social cards and posts are also available in French and Portuguese

TWITTER

The #HighSeas is critical to #ocean health, but increasing impacts from human activity continue to negatively affect its #biodiversity. We need a strong and ambitious #HighSeasTreaty at #IGC5. Sign the petition today: https://only.one/riseup #RiseUp4TheOcean #UNOceanConference

Half the planet is covered by #HighSeas, but only roughly 1% is protected, leaving it vulnerable and open to exploitation. Tell world leaders we need a strong #HighSeasTreaty at #IGC5 and sign the petition now: https://only.one/riseup #RiseUp4TheOcean #UNOceanConference

The RISE UP network calls on @EmmanuelMacron to generate momentum for a strong and ambitious #HighSeasTreaty as France is leading the #BBNJ High Ambition Coalition. Join us and sign the petition now: https://only.one/riseup #RiseUp4TheOcean #UNOceanConference #IGC5

The social cards and Twitter posts are also available in French and Portuguese

FACEBOOK

FACEBOOK POST #1

The #HighSeas is critical to the health of the entire ocean.

Once thought to be barren and devoid of life, it is now known that this global commons is one of the largest reservoirs of biodiversity on Earth and are a crucial component in all of the Earth’s systems.

However, increasing impacts from human activity continue to negatively affect its biodiversity. It needs proper protection.

We call for a strong and ambitious High Seas Treaty at IGC5. Tell world leaders it’s time to #RiseUp4TheOcean and sign the petition now: https://only.one/riseup

It's time to #RiseUp4TheOcean: https://riseupfortheocean.org/

FACEBOOK POST #2

The High Seas cover 60% of the ocean and sit outside of any country’s jurisdiction, but only roughly 1% is protected.

Whilst there are laws and regulations to protect areas within national waters, for most of the High Seas there are no clear rules to establish protected areas, leaving its marine life vulnerable to exploitation.

We need a strong and ambitious High Seas Treaty at IGC5 to protect ocean life.

The RISE UP network urges your organisation to join forces with fellow RISE UP supporters to highlight the need to your government for ambitious action. Help us by signing the petition today: https://only.one/riseup

It's time to #RiseUp4TheOcean. https://riseupfortheocean.org/

FACEBOOK POST #3: FRANCE

France claims to be a global leader, defending the planet and its ocean.

Yet, concrete actions are slow to follow up on the promising political declarations, and while France has committed to an ambitious High Seas Treaty, through its launching of a High Ambition Coalition, this ambition has yet to be reflected in the proposals put forward by the EU during negotiations at the UN.

The RISE UP network calls on @EmmanuelMacron to generate momentum for a strong and ambitious High Seas Treaty while France holds the EU Presidency and as leaders of the High Ambition Coalition. Join us and sign the petition: https://only.one/riseup

https://riseupfortheocean.org/ #RiseUp4TheOcean

The social cards and Facebook posts are also available in French and Portuguese

INSTAGRAM

Instagram Post #1:

The #HighSeas is critical to the health of the entire ocean.

Once thought to be barren and devoid of life, it is now known that this global commons is one of the largest reservoirs of biodiversity on Earth and are a crucial component in all of the Earth’s systems.

However, increasing impacts from human activity continues to negatively affect its biodiversity. It needs proper protection.

We call for a strong and ambitious High Seas Treaty at IGC5. You can join us too by signing the petition! (link in bio). It's time to #RiseUp4TheOcean.

#listentotheocean #highseas #highseastreaty #igc5 #UNOceanConference

[Link in bio: http://only.one/riseup]

Instagram Post #2:

The High Seas cover 60% of the ocean and sit outside of any country’s jurisdiction, but only roughly 1% is protected.

Whilst there are laws and regulations to protect areas within national waters, for most of the High Seas there are no clear rules to establish protected areas, leaving its marine life vulnerable to exploitation.

We need a strong and ambitious High Seas Treaty at IGC5 to protect ocean life.

The RISE UP network urges your organisation to join forces with fellow RISE UP supporters to highlight the need to your government on the need for ambitious action. Help us by signing the petition today (link in bio). It's time to #RiseUp4TheOcean.

#listentotheocean #highseas #highseastreaty #igc5 #UNOceanConference

[Link in bio: http://only.one/riseup]

Instagram Post #3: France

France claims to be a global leader, defending the planet and its ocean.

Yet, concrete actions are slow to follow up on the promising political declarations, and while France has committed to an ambitious High Seas Treaty, through its launching of a High Ambition Coalition, this ambition has yet to be reflected in the proposals put forward by the EU during negotiations at the UN.

The RISE UP network calls on @EmmanuelMacron to generate momentum for a strong and ambitious High Seas Treaty while France holds the EU Presidency.

#riseup4theocean #listentotheocean #highseas #highseastreaty #igc5

[Link in bio: http://only.one/riseup]

Instagram Post #3: Portugal

Portugal long been a global leader, defending the planet and its ocean.

While Portugal has committed to an ambitious High Seas Treaty and recently joined the High Ambition Coalition, this ambition has not yet been reflected in the proposals put forward by the EU during negotiations at the UN.

The RISE UP network calls on @antoniocostapm to generate momentum for a strong and ambitious High Seas Treaty within the EU, and make protection of the High Seas a key issue during the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon this year.

#riseup4theocean #listentotheocean #UNOceanConference #highseas #highseastreaty #igc5

[Link in bio: http://only.one/riseup]

The social cards and Instagram posts are also available in French and Portuguese

RESOURCES

The Only One High Seas petition page is available in EnglishFrench and Portuguese

If your organisation is not part of the RISE UP network yet, join today!

Credits:

Created with images by Andy Mann "Mountain Wave" - Alan Friedlander "Fish Aggregation" - Jeff Yonover "Green Sea Turtle" - Kelvin Gorospe NOAA "White Tip Sharks" - Tim Cole NOAA "Right Whale" and Richard Barnden GP "Mount Vema"