The Sargasso Sea must be included among priority sites in a plan to protect 30 per cent of the world's ocean by 2030, a local environmentalist argued at a United Nations event.

The call came from Noelle Young, an environmental justice delegate and “sustainability solutionist”, as Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Preparatory Commission talks resumed at the UN’s headquarters in New York this week.

In 2022, more than 190 countries adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework — an international environmental commitment that includes the collective goal of protecting 30 per cent of the ocean by 2030.

At the event, activists, scientists, indigenous community members and the environmental charity Greenpeace called on governments to agree on the process for the first protected areas under the Global Ocean Treaty.

The treaty, adopted by the United Nations in June 2023, is also referred to as the BBNJ Agreement.

The agreement across nations is aimed at protecting marine life in high-sea areas that are beyond national jurisdiction.

Ms Young told attendees at event: “The Sargasso Sea must become one of the first high seas marine protected areas under the High Seas Treaty [BBNJ Agreement].

“It is one of the most studied, storied and data-rich regions of the global ocean — a borderless sea, alive with the migratory journeys of countless species.

“Bermuda is the only nation physically bound to the Sargasso. All that we are is deeply tied to the health of this unique oceanic system, from our food security and fresh water access to human health and economic fragility.

“Bermuda, alongside other subnational island jurisdictions, must be granted permissions to help steer this treaty towards true environmental justice.

“Like many currents joining one sea, the voices of fishers, shipping companies, local and indigenous communities, governments and NGOs must flow together in guiding our future."

Fifty-two countries and the European Union have ratified the Global Ocean Treaty and 60 ratifications are needed for it to come into force.

Greenpeace UK is calling on Britain and other governments to ratify the treaty as soon as possible and urging progress on priority sites in the Atlantic and across the globe, including the Sargasso Sea.

Chris Thorne, the senior oceans campaigner at Greenpeace UK, said the treaty must “revolutionise global ocean governance” by closing vast areas of the ocean to extractive and damaging human activities.

He said: “As the treaty moves towards entering into force, with only eight more countries needing to complete ratification before it commences, the next priority is how the treaty can be used to create ocean sanctuaries.

“We need sanctuaries covering 30 per cent of the world’s ocean by 2030. The UK Government has a responsibility to champion the Sargasso Sea as one of the first ocean sanctuaries under the treaty since Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory and we know the richly biodiverse Sargasso Sea is of vital importance to Bermudians."

A new short film, From The Sea We Came, produced by Greenpeace UK in partnership with Ms Young and Burnt House productions, premiered at the event.

The film highlights Bermudians’ personal stories, cultural heritage and emotional connection to the Sargasso Sea and the significant role it plays in their lives.

Babajide Alo, a scientific adviser and lead African negotiator for the BBNJ from Nigeria, who also spoke at the event, said: “Empowered local scientists are the foundation for resilient, equitable and evidence-based ocean sanctuaries.

“One of the core parts of the BBNJ treaty is capacity building for developing countries.

“The treaty must be a tool to meaningfully engage with and strengthen the scientific and technical skills of African researchers. This will reduce dependency on external experts and promote local ownership of the new ocean sanctuaries.”