Greenpeace Activists Protest Delay in Signing Global Ocean Treaty

Activists urge expedited action from the UK Foreign Secretary on international treaty for ocean protection.

Early on Thursday morning, Greenpeace activists scaled a building outside the UK Foreign Office to protest delays in signing the Global Ocean Treaty aimed at enhancing ocean protection.

Four protesters suspended themselves from the King Charles Street Archway in Westminster, unfurling a banner featuring an illustrated turtle along with the message "Lammy don’t dally!".

The Global Ocean Treaty, which seeks to safeguard significant portions of marine ecosystems by imposing stricter regulations on deep-sea mining and fishing practices, was initially agreed upon in March 2023. It has been ratified by 21 nations to date, in anticipation of the upcoming United Nations Ocean Conference scheduled for June.

At the time of the protest, Foreign Secretary David Lammy was attending a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels.

Erica Finnie, an oceans campaigner at Greenpeace UK, criticized the government's pace in translating the Global Ocean Treaty into UK law, stating, "The ocean is home to so many spectacular marine creatures, but sadly David Lammy has taken inspiration from the sea snail to pass the Global Ocean Treaty into UK law."

She expressed concerns that the government’s delays could hinder its ability to influence critical decisions at the forthcoming 'Conference of the Parties' related to the treaty.

Emergency services, including police and fire brigade personnel, were present at the scene, establishing a small cordon around the archway.

Both the Metropolitan Police and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) have been approached for comment regarding the protest.