Proposed solution:
Protect this global commons
for global public benefit
The Central Arctic Ocean, the world's northernmost high seas region, is by definition a global commons, with all such international spaces assigned to be a common heritage of mankind and for the benefit of all citizens and nations worldwide.
Unsurprisingly for its location, these waters have unique geophysical, oceanographic and biological characteristics, and host an entire ecosystem that has remained undisturbed throughout human history largely due to the barrier to entry presented by its sea-ice cover.
However, as the sea-ice habitat recedes to create an ice-free ocean over the coming decades, new risks arise for the wildlife, biodiversity and ecosystem services from potentially increasing vessel activity.
90 North Foundation proposes that a comprehensive suite of conservation measures be secured to address the impacts, stressors and risks posed by fishing, shipping and mining vessels in the Central Arctic Ocean, the measures to be incorporated in an international agreement which establishes a North Pole Marine Reserve by 2037.
Covering 2,800,000 square kilometres around the North Pole, this fastest-changing of ocean environments requiring urgent protections, would thereby host the world’s most iconic marine reserve with the highest level of conservation protection for its biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides to our global community.
The following existing building blocks add context and substance to both the rationale and possibility of
protecting the CAO:
- Under international law the CAO is a ‘global commons’ through its ‘high seas’ status
- The UN Convention on Biological Diversity categorises the CAO as an ‘Ecologically/Biologically
Significant Marine Area’ (EBSA)
- The UN International Maritime Organization’s ‘International Code for Ships Operating in Polar
Waters’ (aka IMO Polar Code) applies to the entire Arctic Ocean
- The Arctic Council, comprising the Arctic’s eight sovereign states, facilitated the pioneering ‘CAO
Fisheries Agreement’ which committed signatories to a ban on commercial fishing until 2037 -
signatories being all the Arctic states along with China, Japan, South Korea, and the European Union
- The UN advisory body, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, has approved a
proposal to establish a ‘Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary’ for the entire Arctic Ocean (including the
Central Arctic Ocean)
- Some environmental NGOs are looking to ban commercial fishing, transboundary shipping and deep-sea
mining across the entire Arctic Ocean
- The case for the CAO to be treated as a special case in global ocean conservation terms, based on
the notion of "Arctic exceptionalism’, can accelerate progress towards an independent international
agreement
Meanwhile the sea-ice habitat continues to disappear and commercial vessels will increasingly be able to
access, operate and/or exploit resources in these undisturbed waters.
"It’s a deliberate choice and it’s on our watch.
Conserve through
international law an untouched global resource for future generations,
or effectively give the thumbs-up
for its exploitation, degradation and destruction, with everyone losing in the end."
Pen Hadow, Executive Director, 90 North Foundation
To join us in our work to protect this valuable ecosystem.
Below you will find resources and information on how to get involved and collaborate with us as we embark
on this mission.
