Hardly had she returned from the UN General Assembly in New York in mid-September than the German Environment Minister Steffi Lemke was available to the Deutscher Naturschutzring (DNR) at its annual general meeting for a welcoming address followed by a discussion. And she had good news in her luggage: the immensely important international ocean protection agreement has been signed, which in future is to better protect two thirds of the oceans, namely the high seas outside the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ). The treaty under international law creates the basis for the designation of large marine protected areas on the high seas, in line with the 30/30 target. What it means to implement this in practice became clear in the subsequent panel discussion. The 30% marine protected areas, as is already known, will be divided into one third (10% overall) of so-called "no-take" zones: marine areas in which no human use of any kind is permitted. Here nature is left to its own devices and is allowed to recover. Currently, this applies to only 2.6% of the world's oceans, meaning it will quadruple. The "other 20%" of marine protected areas will be used "sustainably", whatever that may look like in practice. In response to a question from Friederike Kremer-Obrock, who represented ElasmOcean at the general meeting, the Minister stated that this would also apply to the North and Baltic Seas: 10% of German marine waters and the international areas of the North and Baltic Seas will (sooner or later) be declared "no-take" zones. However, the path is long. Steffi Lemke explained somewhat soberly that she would be pleased to be able to establish 5% properly. "That is a real challenge!", said the Environment Minister, who replied patiently and in detail despite considerable jet lag. And another prospect: an EU-wide dolly-rope ban for bottom trawling is currently being drafted in Brussels, according to the Minister. This is immediately encouraging! Our conclusion: the mills of (environmental) politics grind slowly, but steadily. And we had the positive impression of a minister who takes her "craft" seriously, is passionate about the oceans, and heads her ministry with great dedication. We are eager to see what can be politically implemented – and will help where we can.
