Global Ocean Commission's latest report
Launched in February 2013, the Global Ocean Commission was established as an independent body made up of high-level figures, such as former heads of state, ministers and business leaders, to join hands in stopping Ocean degradation and to restore it to health. Earlier this week, to conclude its work, the Commission released a follow-up to its 2014 report called The Future of our Ocean: Next Steps and Priorities with an accompanying op-ed. In 2014 the Commission mapped out 8 practical proposals for action over the next 5 years on issues such as the high seas, IUU fishing, fisheries subsidies and marine protected areas. This new report takes stock of progress such as an increase in marine protected areas, the green light to negotiate a new high seas biodiversity agreement (see below), increased awareness on the human rights angle to IUU fishing and the risk of plastic in the Ocean. However, there is still a lot more work to do, including the creation of an independent Global Ocean Accountability Board to monitor progress.
