LONG BEACH, Calif. — A global effort aims to restore oceanic balance amid mounting pollution threats by conserving 30% of the world’s oceans. 

What You Need To Know

  • Millions of tons of plastic waste are floating in oceans, often injuring marine life 

  • Nonprofit Green Peace is calling on governments to adopt the 30 by 2030 campaign, which sets a goal to conserve 30% of the world's oceans by 2030

  • California has protected ocean areas called national marine sanctuaries already working to manage the biological resources found in those areas

  • In June, 193 members of the United Nations drafted the high seas treaty, which includes a framework for protecting parts of international waters

The nonprofit organization Green Peace, which has been involved in the ocean conservation effort, made a stop in Long Beach to campaign for the creation of a global network of ocean sanctuaries. 

The organization visits oceans all over the world aboard ships they call traveling science labs, testing waters, and documenting human pollution in marine ecosystems. 

The United States has its own version of the 30 by 2030 campaign that includes California’s several national marine sanctuaries. These sanctuaries help combat climate related impacts in oceans such as rising sea levels, oceanic acidification and oxygen availability. 

California is currently considering adding another national marine sanctuary which would be managed by the Chumash indigenous tribe who have connections to the area of central California.

Although conservation efforts are spreading to more areas of the ocean, Arlo Hemphill, a project lead with Green Peace said reaching the 30% goal is not possible without protecting international waters. 

“Unfortunately, 42% of the entire planet is covered by international waters, or the global high seas, and these are areas that are not owned by any country at all,” Hemphill said. “For centuries, we have treated these international waters as nearly half of the water, as the aquatic Wild West where there are no rules and no ways to protect things.” 

After nearly 20 years of negotiations, earlier this year over 190 countries agreed on a draft of an ocean treaty that includes a framework for protecting parts of international waters. 

Hemphill said that now they are hoping global governments will ratify and sign the treaty to begin the work needed to reach the 30% conservation goal. 

The organization Green Peace will be hosting tours to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.