Noelle Young ensures Bermuda has a seat at the table on ocean governance
Press release from Greenpeace:
A representative from Bermuda called for urgent global action to protect the vital ecosystem of the Sargasso Sea at the High Seas Treaty Preparatory Commission talks at the UN Headquarters in New York this week.
During the second day of the talks, Noelle Young, Sustainability Solutionist & Environmental Justice Delegate from Bermuda, gave an intervention on behalf of Greenpeace during discussions about how the Treaty will be funded.
Emphasising Bermuda’s longstanding commitment to conservation, she urged delegates to designate the Sargasso Sea as one of the first high seas marine protected areas under the Treaty. She also highlighted the need for subnational island jurisdictions to have direct access to climate and ocean finance, warning that without inclusion and support, both progress and biodiversity will suffer. Her message is clear: act now — imperfectly if needed — but with urgency and unity.
As part of her speech, Noelle Young said:
“This Treaty provides hope. But when it comes to finance – conscience must prevail. Subnational islands hold vast stretches of biodiversity on behalf of sovereign nations, yet we are denied direct access to the funds needed for adaptation and resilience. The BBNJ financing plan must create pathways for us to access support directly. Without it, progress and protection will once again be delayed.
“For centuries, our people have united in conservation. We have proven our commitment. Now, we ask you to match it. Therefore I wish to use this opportunity to urge delegates to consider making the international waters of the Sargasso Sea one of the first high seas marine protected areas under the BBNJ Treaty. And we ask that Bermuda — and other subnational island jurisdictions — be given access to finance to facilitate management of these areas,” she continued.
A new short film, From The Sea We Came, produced by Greenpeace UK in partnership with Noelle Young and Burnt House productions, premiered at the talks in an event earlier the same day. This film highlights Bermudians’ personal stories, cultural heritage and emotional connection to the Sargasso Sea. Through voices across the community, the film captures how the ocean shaped their identity, traditions, and a bond stretching across generations as caretakers of the sea. The film is a portrait of people whose lives are inseparable from the ocean and a reminder of the deep human connection that ties us all to it. As the future of our ocean hangs in the balance, this film is a beacon of hope and a powerful call to our shared duty to protect it.
Chris Thorne, senior oceans campaigner at Greenpeace UK, said:
“This Treaty has the potential to transform the way we manage the world’s oceans by protecting crucial marine ecosystems from harmful and exploitative activities. As it nears activation—with just eight more countries needing to ratify—it’s crucial to focus on how it can be used to establish Marine Protected Areas that are both ecologically robust and socially just.”
“We have been lucky to work alongside Noelle Young, who is a passionate advocate for ensuring the voices of people across Bermuda are heard when it comes to the Sargasso’s protection. But Bermuda is a UK Overseas Territory. The UK therefore has a key role to play in championing the Sargasso Sea as one of the first sanctuaries under this Treaty at the United Nations, especially given the Sargasso Sea’s vital ecological and cultural value to Bermudians” he continued.
52 countries (plus the European Union) have currently ratified the Global Ocean Treaty. 60 ratifications by countries are needed for it to enter into force. Greenpeace UK is urging the UK government and other governments to ratify the Treaty as soon as possible and develop proposals to protect priority sites in the Atlantic and across the globe, including the Sargasso Sea.
