Glasgow councillors are being urged to support a new international treaty aimed at protecting marine wildlife on the high seas.
The High Seas Treaty treaty, drafted at the beginning of March this year, would provide a “legal framework” for establishing marine protected areas (MPAs) in international waters to protect against the loss of wildlife.
It is also crucial for enforcing the 30x30 pledge made by countries at the UN biodiversity conference in December to protect a third of the sea and land by 2030.
READ NEXT: Glasgow electric vehicle charging fees to be rolled out next month
Bailie Thomas Kerr, Glasgow’s Conservative group leader, is to present a motion at this week’s full council meeting asking members to welcome the recent agreement at the United Nations for a High Seas Treaty.
The motion reads: “Council notes that this treaty will provide a legal framework for managing parts of the ocean known as "international waters" - those outside of specific national jurisdictions.
“Council further notes that this treaty will provide a way forward to protect 30% of the world's oceans by 2030 ensuring that they are managed in a conservation-friendly manner and will also provide arrangements for environmental impact assessments for deep-sea activities and for sharing marine genetic resources.”
The motion also asks councillors to take into account that the oceans' ecosystems produce around half of the Earth's oxygen, which makes up 95% of the biosphere.
It continues: “Council welcomes that the UK Government has been supporting the development of this treaty as part of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, the High Ambition Coalition for Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction and the Global Ocean Alliance and encourages the UK Government to ratify the treaty as soon as possible.”
READ NEXT:
Glasgow plea for permanent memorial to mark centenary of John Maclean death
Body found in Speirs Wharf as emergency services rush to scene tonight
Glasgow thug threatened Amazon driver with knife when new tracksuit didn't arrive
Spanish judges reject vicious Lanarkshire prisoner's bid to return to Scotland
Body found in search for missing Glasgow dad Barry McCullagh last seen six months ago
