Late last night, after two weeks of intense negotiations, delegates meeting at the United Nations finally agreed to language for a High Seas Treaty. This is a major milestone in a nearly two-decade effort to secure a treaty to govern and protect the High Seas, which make up 70% of the ocean and cover nearly half the planet. More than 160,000 supporters spoke up and urged leaders to act. This public support, along with the great work of partners like RISE UP, the High Seas Alliance, Greenpeace, and more, helped show decision-makers that people all over the world were watching and wanted action — and they delivered. There is still more work to do, as nations will now need to formally adopt the language and ratify the treaty at the country level. We will continue to keep you updated on campaign developments and the critical moments where we need your support.
Update: The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary was officially designated in October 2024, and has now been formally established. This historic achievement — a testament to the dedication of a decades-long campaign led by the Northern Chumash Tribal Council — marks the first Indigenous-nominated national marine sanctuary and the first new addition to the U.S. marine sanctuary system in over 30 years. More than 4,500 square miles of ocean and coastline are now federally protected, providing a safe haven for species like sea otters and migrating blue whales to thrive.
Call on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to create the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.
The coastal region near San Luis Obispo, California is the ancestral home of the Northern Chumash people and one of the world’s most biologically diverse regions. The area also hosts 25 threatened, endangered, or critically endangered species, including humpback whales and leatherback sea turtles, and one of the largest remaining kelp forests on the Western Seaboard.
