Ocean Optimism Making Waves
June 8th marks World Ocean Day, a worldwide call to action to put the Ocean first. In the 15 years since its official recognition by the United Nations, this designation has grown into a global movement, uniting youth leaders, policymakers, Indigenous communities, scientists, and a vast range of both private sector and civil society organizations to protect and restore the Ocean.
This World Ocean Day presents an opportune moment for genuine reflection, allowing us to consider both the challenges confronting the Ocean and to embrace optimism for the future. Today, we reflect on the recent victories of Earth Law Center’s Ocean Rights program and how we can further catalyze action to change the tides on Ocean health.
The Ocean Race One Blue Voice Pavilion in Newport, Rhode Island, May, 2023. Photo by Rachel Bustamante
Ocean Rights Gains Momentum
The initiative “Towards a Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights (UDOR)” is gaining remarkable momentum! Launched in March 2022 with The Ocean Race, Nature’s Rights and the municipality of Genoa, Italy, the UDOR aims to create a shared global vision of positive human-Ocean relationships and give the Ocean a voice and representation within a multinational governance system.
The government of Cabo Verde signed on in 2022 to lead the introduction of Ocean Rights within the United Nations General Assembly in September 2023, and with the support of Monaco, are leading discussions with governments to increase formal support at the UN and national levels. Additionally, local governments have also formally supported the UDOR, including Itajaí and Santa Catarina, Brasil, Aarhus, Denmark, and Newport as well as the House of Representatives of Rhode Island.
The campaign has fostered dialogue and consultation through six 'Innovation Workshops' thus far, bringing together over 150+ experts, policymakers, business leaders, lawyers, Indigenous Peoples, scientists, NGOs, and stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions on Ocean Rights. We are now in the process of taking all the input into account and moving towards a draft document outlining a new values-based foundation (or code of conduct) to serve as a starting point for the UDOR and its inclusion in upcoming UN agendas.
In addition, the One Blue Voice petition to collect support has now garnered over 24,000 signatures. We encourage you to actively participate in shaping an ecologically sustainable future for the Ocean by signing and sharing the petition. Your support is crucial in ensuring the thriving and well-being of the Ocean!
The Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights milestone map.
Panama Recognizes Sea Turtles’ Rights
In March 2023, Panama’s President Laurentino Cortizo signed a national law promoting the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles and their Habitats. This law recognizes the rights of sea turtles to live and have free passage in a healthy environment, free of pollution and other human impacts that cause physical damage. Truly a landmark example, this law is likely the first national law to guarantee and identify the rights of a specific species.
Photo by Michael Ryan Clark.
In 2021, Congressman Gabriel Silva proposed the law, which underwent three legal debates to receive input and shape its provisions before ultimately reaching the President's desk. Earth Law Center, in partnership with The Leatherback Project, provided legal feedback to the draft.
This law identifies sea turtles as having individual value beyond the context of human benefits or perceptions, especially given that these highly endangered species offer a window into the health of the Ocean. Occurring in one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth, this law opens the door for other species’ rights to be recognized in Rights of Nature supporting countries, and sets a fantastic precedent for future legislation!
New Publication on Sharks and Rights of Nature
Rachel Bustamante of Earth Law Center recently published Beyond Protection: Recognizing Nature’s Rights to Conserve Sharks, in the journal Sustainability, laying out approaches to improve the protection and restoration of sharks and their habitats. Globally, sharks are highly threatened by overfishing, habitat degradation, and climate change. As both keystone species and apex predators, sharks regulate food webs and maintain ecological balance. In fact, sharks are fundamental to maintaining a healthy Ocean!
This paper explores how we can move beyond merely protecting sharks and reimagine a more harmonious relationship between humans, sharks, and the Ocean. This publication is within an emerging body of work that reimagines how we can use Rights of Nature frameworks to enshrine protections for specific species.
What Can You Do?
These three stories are but a small sliver of our work. Continue your involvement and support of Earth Law Center’s many efforts to ensure the Ocean is healthy and thrives.
In addition, support the World Ocean Day movement directly by taking the Conservation Action Focus survey.
Most importantly, continue to spread the word about the importance of conserving, protecting, and empowering the Ocean!
Graphic by UN World Oceans Day
