Turning tides for ocean conservation

A region so remote that it has no permanent human populations, no easily accessible mode of transportation, millions of migrating seabirds but yet tons of the world’s plastic is making its way onto the isolated beaches of the North-western Hawaiian Islands. Photo: Nan Marr, Ocean Futures Society

Extensions of the main islands, the North-western Hawaiian Islands are a secluded wilderness that few people have ever set foot on, or dove in their surrounding waters. We were eager to explore these vast regions whose isolation and inaccessibility shielded them from the worst of human impacts. Or so we once thought.
It did not take us long to find the footprints of humanity on some of these remote island chains that may have never before seen actual human footprints. As we walked along remote beaches we found pieces of plastic scattered everywhere.

In the stomachs of dead seabirds I pulled out plastics from countries around the world: lighters, toothbrushes, kids’ toys and more. We were shocked as we watched endangered monk seals eating plastics from the sea, unaware of their dangers. These island chains we believed were protected from human influence, were actually sitting in the middle of the Pacific Ocean gyre, circulating currents dragging pollution from around the world onto these once pristine island beaches.

The beauty and horror of our PBS Special to the North-western Hawaiian Islands (NWHI), Voyage to Kure inspired then President George W Bush to create the then-largest marine sanctuary in the world to protect the region’s coral reefs, shark populations, endangered monk seals and millions of seabirds. More than a decade later back in Hawaii, I was filled with joy and delight as news of President Obama’s further expansion of the NWHI Papaha–naumokua– kea National Marine Monument made its way across national headlines. Extending out to the fullest 320km around all the islands and atolls across the NWHI island chain, the expanded Marine National Monument was once again to become the largest marine protected area in the world.

"…In the stomachs of dead seabirds I pulled out plastics from countries around
the world: lighters, toothbrushes,
kids’ toys and more…

Conservation on the world stage

This wonderful news was only the beginning. In September 2016, joined by my daughter Celine Cousteau, we attended the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress in Hawaii, an event held once every four years. It was the first time the conference had been hosted by the United States in its 68 year history and the event included 9,500 delegates from over 190 countries, making it one of the largest environmental gatherings to date.
Of the 85 conservation motions put to the vote the IUCN adopted all of them, including actions to protect the vaquita, the world’s most endangered marine mammal found only in the upper parts of the Sea of Cortez, and improving conservation of coral reefs. The IUCN is also strengthening business engagement for biodiversity preservation and recognising the cultural and spiritual significance of nature in protected and conserved areas, among many others.

I left the conference with a feeling that more people, governments, industries and decision-makers are truly beginning to understand the vital importance of protecting and conserving life on our water planet.

Following the successful events in Hawaii, the US Department of State carried on the momentum for ocean conservation by hosting the third annual ‘Our Ocean Conference’ in Washington DC in September. My son, Fabien Cousteau, joined world leaders including President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry as the United States announced it was committing to a series of concrete actions to protect ocean and water resources. These exciting actions included over 130 initiatives for marine conservation valued at over $US5 billion – including measures to establish and enforce marine protected areas, promote sustainable fisheries, reduce marine pollution and support climate change mitigation efforts with partnerships around the world.

A month later, the largest world wildlife conference gathered in Johannesburg for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an international agreement between governments to ensure sustainable wildlife trade. Over 152 governments gathered and adopted critical resolutions that enhance measures to address legal, sustainable and traceable wildlife trade. These included resolutions on corruption and wildlife crimes, strategies to reduce the demand for illegally traded wildlife, targeting illegal fishing and trade, and decisions for more rural engagement in managing wildlife. The conference was hailed as a ‘game changer’ for wildlife conservation – riding on the waves of support that have been building over the years.

Unstoppable momentum

And in early October, the Paris Climate Accord – the international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and move our world toward a clean energy future – officially passed the necessary threshold to enter into legal force. Fifty-five nations representing 55% of the world’s greenhouse gases were required to ratify the agreement before it would become official. We’ve officially passed the threshold. Now, the world’s largest carbon emitters: China, the United States, the European Union and India and others have agreed that we must take action to protect the future of our planet. We now have the first comprehensive climate agreement that commits all nations to take big steps in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

"…the IUCN included 9,500 delegates from over 190 countries, making it
one of the largest environmental
gatherings to date…

As United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, “What once seemed unthinkable is now unstoppable.Those few months saw some of the most rigorous and momentous steps the world has taken to steer the path of humanity on a better course. We know that the Earth is not limitless and abundant. Our planet is sustained by a delicate balance between living organisms and the physical forces of Earth. As humans, we are part of the balance of nature, and our actions have real consequences for the quality of our lives and the future of life on Earth.

Our past decisions have brought us to where we stand today: we have built incredible cities and civilizations, enhancing the quality of life for many people on Earth, but we now know that it is not enough. We must also protect the natural world, a world rich in diversity that provides us with food, water and the plethora of natural resources, as well as fulfilment, serenity and joy. Every day, the tides are turning towards the benefits of conservation. The momentum is growing, and together we can set the course for a truly sustainable future.