There's real momentum coming out of Nice — but also a lot of unfinished business. This was a critical moment to close gaps in ocean protection. While some progress was made, not all governments fully seized it.
After 20 years, the High Seas Treaty is finally within reach. With 51 countries ratified and more pledging to follow, we're just 9 short of the 60 needed for it to enter into force. But that final push didn't happen in Nice — and now pressure is on remaining governments to make it legally binding.
Calls to halt deep-sea mining are growing, with 37 countries now supporting a precautionary pause or outright ban — a hopeful sign of political will to protect fragile ecosystems. But progress on ratifying the agreement to curb harmful fisheries subsidies remains painfully slow, with only Panama joining so far and 9 more ratifications needed. To keep our oceans healthy and fisheries thriving for the future, governments must act urgently.
We can't save the ocean on spare change. Blue finance is finally gaining attention, but we're still $550 billion a year short of what's needed for long-term ocean health. Without urgent investment, we risk accelerating the collapse of marine biodiversity, undermining food security for billions and weakening one of our most powerful buffers against climate change.
Some countries, like Brazil, France, Panama, and South Korea, came to Nice ready to lead — not just talk. But the ocean's fate isn't in their hands alone. If the world doesn't act together now, we could lose the very lifeblood that sustains us all.
The author is Global Director, Ocean Program, World Resources Institute (WRI)
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