Sargasso Sea Conservation Declaration Signed
[Updated with video] Earlier today [Mar 11] representatives from the governments of 11 countries and territories from around the Sargasso Sea and Europe met to reaffirm their support for an initiative, led by the Government of Bermuda, to collaborate for the conservation of the Sargasso Sea ecosystem.
The governments of Bermuda, the Azores, Monaco, United Kingdom and the United States signed the “Hamilton Declaration on Collaboration for the Conservation of the Sargasso Sea [PDF]” which is a non-binding political statement that indicates signatories’ interest in voluntarily collaborating on efforts to conserve the Sargasso Sea – a vast patch of ocean named for a type of free-floating seaweed called Sargassum.
Additionally, representatives of the governments of Sweden, Turks & Caicos Islands, British Virgin Islands, Bahamas, the Netherlands, and South Africa attended to speak in support of the initiative, as did representatives from the Secretariats of five international organizations: the Oslo and Paris Commission [OSPAR] from the neighboring North-East Atlantic region, the International Seabed Authority, the Inter-American Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Sea Turtles, the Convention on Migratory Species and International Union for Conservation of Nature [IUCN].
The Sargasso Sea Alliance [SSA], founded in 2010 and led by the Government of Bermuda, aims to seek protection measures for this unique high seas, open ocean ecosystem through the bodies which already have regulatory authority for areas beyond national jurisdiction – such as the International Seabed Authority, International Maritime Organization, the regional fisheries bodies and the Convention on Migratory Species.
Premier Craig Cannonier said, “As you may know, Bermuda is the only landmass in the middle of the Sargasso Sea. We see it as our responsibility to lead the stewardship of this unique marine ecosystem and to request the support and assistance of the international community in this task.
“Additionally, I want to publicly state that the signing of this historic document will allow the stewardship of the Bermuda Exclusive Economic Zone [EEZ] to remain solely under the control and management authority of the Government of Bermuda. We are committed to a high level of sustainable management of the resources of the EEZ and we have an impressive history to prove it.”
The Signatories – which may later be joined by other signing governments – will set up a regular Meeting of Signatories and establish a Sargasso Sea Commission to exercise a stewardship role for the Sargasso Sea and keep its health, productivity and resilience under continual review.
The Commission will be composed of distinguished scientists and other persons of international repute committed to the conservation of high seas ecosystems. The Government of Bermuda, in consultation with the Signatories and Collaborating Partners, will select qualified individuals to serve on the Commission. Commissioners will be unpaid and will serve in a largely virtual setting.
The Sargassum mats are home to many endemic species and provide a protective ‘nursery’ for juvenile fish and turtles. Over 150 invertebrate species live on, or in association with, the Sargassum.
The Hamilton Declaration defines the Sargasso Sea ecosystem to include international waters or areas beyond national jurisdiction, but the Bermuda Exclusive Economic Zone [EEZ] will remain under the sovereignty and management authority of Bermuda.
Minister of Environment & Health Trevor Moniz said: “As the lead government of the Sargasso Sea Alliance since 2010, Bermuda is proud to be part of this collaboration of individuals and countries who all share a vision of protecting the unique and vulnerable ocean ecosystem of the Sargasso Sea.
“The Sargasso Sea supports a range of endemic species and plays a critical role in supporting the life cycle of a number of threatened and endangered species.
Today’s signing:
“The opportunity to recognize the importance of the Sargasso Sea and to develop and implement procedures to protect this iconic region and the wider High Seas should be taken before it is too late.
“The initiative we are embarking upon today may be capable of replication in other high seas areas, and Bermuda is proud to be in a leadership role to that end. It is my hope that through our experience we can share lessons learned with others who may be exploring similar work globally.”
“This is a truly historic occasion,” remarked Dr. David Freestone, Executive Director of the SSA. “This is the first time an international alliance has been formed to develop protection measures for an iconic high seas ecosystem, using existing international law frameworks.”
The meeting was entirely financed by the Sargasso Sea Alliance.
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Come on Betty and Chris.
Jump in.
Started under PLP.
Yeah started and never finished. The PLP weren’t exactly the vanguard of the environmental movement.
Well done OBA and all the other countries! Big things!
Bermp!
This will put Bermuda on the world map for conservation efforts and leaves a vital legacy for our children and the world. Our environmental record as an island is not the greatest given our unrelenting overdevelopment which has cemented over most of our green open spaces. Let us at least preserve our ocean surroundings. We owe it to the world and to ourselves.
To those who are worried about the ability to keep big game fishing, or those who want to mine the seabed and risk our fragile environment in the name of greed, please ask yourselves what is ultimately more important in the long term. Remember, That is all that should matter, and that is all that does matter to our children and our children’s children.
Bermuda may not be so hot when it comes to land bound conservation but we’ve been very progressive in ocean conservation historically, and I’ve no doubt will continue to be.
As to your second paragraph, Adam. This agreement, thankfully, will not impact our continued management of our ocean resources, if anything it will help to support our choices.
I’m not a supporter of seabed mining for a variety of reasons. But when it comes to big game fishing, I really don’t understand what the problem is. Bermuda has always been very careful to limit the catches allowed in a nod towards conservation. It also brings a reasonable income to our shores which, in these days, is not something we can afford to ignore or insult.
Bermuda is an island. Our history is connected to the ocean. To cut ourselves off from sources of income from the ocean around us would be foolish.
In the end, I’m quite happy about this agreement as it will bring some attention to our island and ocean conservation, both good things. Bravo to all involved.
As laudable as this may be I am concerned about the advice our government received on this –
According to a report – “A previous draft of the Hamilton declaration showed Bermuda’s EEZ as included, while all other nations’ EEZs were specifically excluded.” whilst Bermudian reps only excluded their EEZ at the last moment, and thanks to a journalist picking up on it. And they are running the island? Sounds like a fun time was had by all at Tuckers. Hope they got some of that $2000 lobster.
gee whiz…landsakes…..jiminy cricket…jumpin jehosiphats…I do declare!….but why wasn’t I consulted?
My only contention is …I feel we have to be careful with overt regulation for the sake of putting a perfectly good cartier pen to usage.I personally do not want any unecessary burdenous regulation applied to my personal freedom…give me freedom or give me death.Where is this leading,to what end….what type og declaration is this and how does it relate to say…the adverage Bermudian?Aren’t we frivilous enough without signing auspitious documen?