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<p>The UK is working both domestically and internationally to improve global ocean
conservation in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG14. Internationally,
we are leading calls to protect 30% of the world’s ocean by 2030. We are on track
to protect 4 million square kilometres of ocean across our Overseas Territories by
2020, and are backing an Ascension Island bid to protect 100% of its offshore waters.
To support achievement of the “30by30” target, the UK is working hard to secure the
agreement of a new Implementing Agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the
Sea for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas
beyond national jurisdiction in 2020.</p><p> </p><p>Domestically, 36% of English inshore
and offshore waters are protected within Marine Protected Areas. In addition, we have
consulted on a further 41 Marine Conservation Zones. Sites to be designated will be
in place by 7 June.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We are also working to reduce plastic pollution
in the ocean and are leading global efforts to tackle the problem through our support
of the G7 Oceans Plastics Charter, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy
and the Commonwealth Blue Charter. In April 2018, we launched the Commonwealth Clean
Ocean Alliance (CCOA), which we co-lead with Vanuatu. The CCOA encourages its 25 member
countries to take steps to eliminate avoidable single-use plastics, significantly
reduce single use plastic carrier bags by 2021 and implement a ban of microbeads in
rinse-off personal care products by 2021.</p><p> </p><p>The Government’s forthcoming
International Ocean Strategy will set out our plan to work with our international
partners to secure a sustainable, prosperous and secure ocean future.</p>
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