An international environmental group will put forward a plan to British lawmakers today to protect the high seas around Bermuda.

Greenpeace, which sailed to the island earlier this year, has said it would present its report, Sargasso: The Sea of Opportunity for Ocean Protection, to legislators invited to a launch event at the Palace of Westminster as part of its push to protect the high seas.

Speakers at the event include Noelle Young, a Bermudian environmentalist and COP29 Youth Delegate; Elena Polisano, the head of oceans at Greenpeace UK; and Damien Egan, vice-chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Overseas Territories.

In a forward to the report, Ms Young said: “Bermuda is small but possesses a mighty collective voice and we must boldly use it to support the preservation of our environment.

“Bermuda has already led pioneering efforts to conserve the Sargasso Sea, aiming to protect the species that inhabit and migrate through it.

“We must now expand and continue this work in partnership with the UK Government for the long term, ensuring the Sargasso Sea is preserved for all future generations.”

A spokesman said: “Greenpeace is calling on the UK and Bermudian governments to work together to begin drafting a proposal for a Sargasso Sea ocean sanctuary well ahead of the first conference of parties to the Global Ocean Treaty, expected to be in 2026 if the treaty enters into force next year.

“Among the report’s four recommendations are that Bermuda should be appointed as a permanent member of any governing board overseeing the sanctuary.

“The recommendations are based on discussions held with members of Bermuda’s conservation, fishing and science communities at a workshop in Hamilton on the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise earlier this year.”

The release of the report comes days after COP16, in Colombia, where governments discussed progress towards the global target of protecting 30 per cent of land and sea by 2030.

Greenpeace has said that, based on its analysis, the goal would not be achieved until the next century at the present rate of progress and proposed the creation of a high seas sanctuary in the Sargasso Sea.

Reshima Sharma, political campaigner at Greenpeace UK, added: “Speaking with experts from Bermuda’s conservation, ocean science and fishing communities has really enhanced our understanding of how a Sargasso Sea ocean sanctuary could work — both the opportunities and some of the challenges.

“Bringing these voices to Parliament and setting the expectation for future collaboration with Bermuda are absolutely critical to the success of this shared vision.”