The declaration was adopted at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa by all 56 member nations. Photo: © Richard Robinson
Ocean experts say the Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration covers important topics but hope it will actually result in meaningful actions, unlike other international declarations.
The declaration was adopted at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa by all 56 member nations.
It includes the protection of at least 30 percent of the ocean, restoring at least 30 percent of degraded marine ecosystems by 2030, and recognising national maritime boundaries in the face of sea-level rise.
Professor of Marine Ecology at Auckland University Simon Thrush said there have been a number of declarations like this in the past from several international agencies.
"We really need to transition from the words on the page to actual meaningful actions," Thrush said.
"We have to move beyond the politics of the moment and take a much more future focused perspective and a perspective that really recognises the urgency in terms of the need for change."
Jonathan Gardner, adjunct marine biology professor at Victoria University, said everybody must hope the targets will be meet.
"We have to assume the politicians are going to do the best possible job they can to meet them, but if I'm going to be completely honest I'm going to have to say no, I don't think they are going to meet those targets and not just the commonwealth, this is a global problem," he said.
"Where the statement falls short is that it doesn't give us very many actions, what they're actually going to do to meet all of these different points, how they're going to achieve it and the time frame over which they're going to achieve those points."
However, he said many nations within the Commonwealth, especially small island states, are on the front lines of climate change, so would likely be more motivated to achieve the goals.
Other targets included, urgent finalisation of the Global Plastics Treaty, reduction of emissions from maritime shipping and the ratification of the Agreement on Marine Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement).
Gardner said he was surprised there was not any mention of deep-sea mining in the agreement.