We asked people to write a message to UNOC decision-makers. Here's what they said.

1

"Only when the last tree  has been cut down, the last fish has been caught and the last stream poisoned,  will we realise we cannot eat money " Cree Indian prophecy.

As  a Grandmother to 10 Grandchildren (aged 3 - 26 years) . I worry about what they and their eventual families will in herit on earth. It is extremely worrying that governments do not take heed of the destruction and inequalities that are already taking place.

2

Activities such as bottom trawling. Unbelievable amounts of plastic polluting our seas, sea creatures and ourselves. Warming seas. All these factors are DAMAGING PLANET EARTH.                          

Please, please, please do much more to protect our oceans.

3

4

All delegates should watch David Attenborough's film Ocean - may be they would then see how important it is to protect our oceans.

5

All factory trawlers should be banned and, if necessary, forcibly policed starting with the English Channel.

6

All humanity will be and many are already affected by the ongoing destruction of our seas, overfishing, sea bed degradation, plastic pollution, melting ice sheets, marine life out of balance, seabirds in crisis. All due to our collective failure to protect and cooperate   Our oceans. Nations need to act together now.

7

All humans need a healthy ocean to live on this planet. Please prioritize protecting all water!

8

All life began in the sea and if we do nothing to change our ways it will end there!

9

All life is important but the life of our oceans is of the highest importance.

10

All life on this planet came from the ocean, and if we do not protect it from oil drilling, over fishing and pollution we will all suffer and eventually become extinct. My grandchildren are relying on you to do what needs to be done to ensure the future of their planet.  Please stand up against the oligarchs and big oil companies and enforce measures to protect our oceans

11

All our lives depend on it

12

Any one who has seen Attenborough's film, Ocean, knows that protection of the marine environment is crucial. Sensible protection will not destroy livelihoods, but will ensure the continuing health of our planet. Failure to protect would be a betrayal of the planet.

13

As a child I holidayed every year at Port Elliot on the Southern Ocean, where the pristine, untouched ocean environment was more precious than jewels. Now, our government is allowing drilling for gas in the Southern Ocean, only 12km from the Twelve Apostles!!! ... and in other pristine places. Oil spills are not rare. WHAT are we risking?? And there is pollution, and plastics ... If we ruin the beautiful environment that God has given us, and upset its ecology, money will not save us! I call on you please to use the unrivalled opportunity of UNOC to protect our oceans globally, before we lose everything to vested interests and greed. Our future lies in your hands.

14

As a lifelong sailor, I know to treat the oceans with respect, as do many coastal communities.  Deep sea mining and bottom trawling are not treating it with respect!

15

As a species , we have laid waste the land that we inhabit and now we, and many other species ,are experiencing the consequences. We should learn from that and not start on the oceans.

16

As a teenager, in the 1960s, the renaissance decade, I became devoted to the environment, upon pictures of city photochemical smog, of motor vehicle exhaust, perversely, almost worn as a progress badge of honour, LA, the leading example. My school had a conservation club, go the 1960s, and caring for the environment became part of electioneering. From 2000 to 2015, I swam daily at an Australian urban, south facing, beach, of the Pacific. When a southerly blew, it became a rubbish tip. There have been universes of protective law since the truthful, much now lost, 1960s, and to no avail. Civilisation-caused mass extinction, is now underway, Australia leads the extinction, of a harsh but very fragile land. With exceptions, far, far too rare to mention, each person is of social fabric, which is of the biosphere, which is of the environment. It is all collapsing. Earth is a basket case.

17

As David Attenborough has so powerfully reminded us the health of oceans is absolutely essential for the planet. Please act according to this knowledge.

18

At a time when the land has been raped in greed with many animal species suffering  oceans need to be protected more now than ever. As what will be left for our children nothing I think.

19

Be Responsible and do the right thing for our planet!

20

Because if we don't do it, it will be too late for future generations.

21

Because in one way or other our beautiful oceans are specials to each and everyone of us. Therefore, since we created global warming, it is our responsibility to stop it from getting worse. Our oceans and all of the sea creatures that reside in it don't deserve this!!! Protect our oceans NOW!!!!!

22

Because it's our Sh** that's polluting the oceans  both figuratively and literally, and time is running out before they are passed redemption. When it's too late, It's no use saying I WISH I had done something earlier. As my father used to say wish in one hand and sh** in the other, they're both equal.

23

Because not enough is being done to stop giant fishing boats indiscriminately dragging up the ocean floor and our seas are still filling up with plastic

24

Because our oceans protect us from escalating climate change

25

Because the health of our planet depend upon the health of our oceans

26

Because the oceans are the essential source of our life, water. It all comes from them and they matter so much in the eternal life cycle. Thank you

27

Because the seas and oceans need all the help they can get. No more polluting them.

28

Because unless we take action and do it immediately we are going to lose some of the most iconic marine species forever.

29

Because we need to protect nature and our environment for the future

30

Because we only have one planet !!

31

Because without a healthy ocean, life ends

32

Because without our oceans being protected life on our planet earth will deteriorate in so many ways and I fear for future generations of every thing that lives on our planet which must be looked after as we don't own it, it's ours to care for.

33

Bottom dredging fishing boars destroy everything they go over. Most of the catch is not wanted and returned to the sea dead and dying. Fishing and polution are at unacceptable levels, n9t giving the oceans the ability to cope or repair itself.

The sea can capture more CO2 per meter than a forest and can repair itself to healthy productive levels within 5 years if left in peace. A protected area as a beneficial area to the surrounding fish with healthier fish populations.

The health of the oceans reflect the health of the earth. The diverse life should be protected to ensure the health of the planet.

Watch David Attenborough's Oceans it explains everything simply.

34

Clean oceans not only keeps it's inhabitants healthy but also  helps the planet in so many ways.

35

Clean up the oceans of plastic; stop the destructive and wasteful practices of industrial fishing and deep sea mining and drilling and let clean water and nature flourish for generations of humans and marine life to come. Healthy oceans are absolutely essential ecosystems for all human and animal life to survive.

36

Coastal ecosystems (saltmarsh, seagrass and kelp) can sequester up to 20 times more carbon per acre than land forests. We know that properly protected MPAs allow nature to recover and store more carbon but they can also support sustainable fisheries in the long term. We need to work together to ensure a just transition to a healthy ocean and better future for all.

37

Considering the size of the various oceans it would seem sensible to me, to not pollute or wreck this precious part of the earth ... we only have one earth - its where we all live - there isn;t an alternative - this is it people - it would make sense to protect it at all costs because to lose it, deplete it, pollute it, will mean loss of human and other creatures lives. We might have (or not depending on what you believe) have visited the moon but we won;t be going to live there - not now and not in the future. I actually think we will eventually desecrate the earth because a lot of humans are incredibly stupid and don;t understand the connection between us and the planet, despite all the programmes on tv and articles in journals. Humanity can be incredibly stupid sometimes ....

38

David Attenborough has made it plain that the future of our lives on this planet depends on us cleaning up the oceans now! I have seen & gathered masses of plastic rubbish on Scottish West Coast Beaches. I deplore bottom trawling of our seas. Time is no longer on our side. Act now or we are sunk!

39

David Attenborough is unequivocal about the state of the world its land and seas. Just because the damage we are doing isn't visible due to waves doesn't mean its not there. We must preserve our seas as we must preserve our land and stop polluting it, and destroying it, for ourselves and future generations. If there is the know how to send rockets into space, there is the know how to keep everything safe.

40

41

Dear members of the UNOC, I beg you to please do all you can to protect our oceans, the myriad and extraordinary life forms within then, and to recognise both their value in and of themselves, and for their importance in securing a livable future for us, our children, and the generations that follow.  The threats they face from mining, overfishing, and pollution are now existential.  There is no more time.  Please act now. 

In hope for all our futures,

Simon Tozer Bristol UK

42

Dear Members of UNOC. My name is Philip Ball, and I am a very worried Grandfather living at Goolwa Beach in South Australia. This year scientific information has come through that The Great Southern Ocean, by absorbing our carbon emissions is officially 1.5C warmer. Our part of the ocean due to this has experienced a rare algae bloom from this warming creating massive deaths of our local shellfish, the Goolwa Cockle or Pippi, and other fish kills. This is just another part of our world's ecosystems in trouble from pollution. All ecosystems are connected and if we humans "push them too far" then it won't take long for them to all collapse. Our Federal Government was just elected on policies to reduce carbon emissions and then approved new gas mining on our Northwest Shelf off Western Australia. This is where I cannot understand human Leaders. Continued approvals of devastating mining and not investing this money into clean green energy is just not logical. Please think of our future children. We all must act honestly and very quickly to slow global warming and save nature. Please. Start to save our Oceans and environment.  Thankyou. Philip Ball

43

Dear Sir /Madam

our waters are so important and generates life all around us.

The constant drilling for gas and oil, the destructive fishing practive industry like the bottom trawling,  and all the plastic that every single day it's dumped in the ocean are  big massive problems that have an negative destructive impact in the sea life .We must do something,  we must try to stop all of this before it's too late , less selfish in our actions. We have an obligation to do good and preserve all sea life for them and for our future generations.Its imperative that the destructive practices and humans behaviour, are challenged , law implemented and  education passed on for a cleaner future.

Thank you for reading this.

Yours faithfully

44

Dear Sir/ Madam,

As you gather at the UN Ocean Conference to discuss ocean protections I am writing to encourage you to take this opportunity to give the greatest protection possible to this precious aspect of our planet.

We are all aware of how interconnected all aspects of our planet are and how in the past this fact has been ignored for profit and greed by a few. There is the potential now to prevent the same errors being allowed to happen in our Oceans.

Please do all in your power/position to protect and care for our Oceans.

Yours faithfully

G Sanders (Mrs)

45

Dear Sirs,  I write begging you to think of future generations when you make your decision regarding protecting the oceans.  Our world is a beautiful creation which belongs not only to the human race but all other creatures who live on, in water and fly through the air.  Our duty is to caretake this world for the future!  At the present time we are not doing a particularly good job.  Life is not about how much money and material assets we have but how we look after this creation and help protect all inhabitants regardless of race, creed and colour and species.  PLEASE forget the profits and think of this beautiful world.  After all there are no pockets in shrouds so what is the point of storing up money for the future?  Unless we all do something to put this right now there will be no future!  Thank you for taking the time to read this and please vote with your heart and not your pocket.

46

Dear Sirs,

It is vitally important that we human beings live on our Earth to guard and care for it, instead of destroying and ruining it for ourselves and future generations. The oceans and seas have a vital role, but we are even a threat to them.

You are the only hope that our nations have to re erase this. PLEASE do the right thing.

Yours faithfully,

Nigel Crowther.

47

48

Dear UN Leaders, Our oceans need to be cleaned. All the waste that is dumped into it is absolutely disgusting. It time to stop plastics being discarded into our seas and oceans. Countries need to be held accountable for their beaches. New recycling plants need to be built so that Countries don't need to ship their waste abroad. Ships of all sizes need to also be stopped from dumping their bio waste into our seas and oceans. No body want to eat fish that has ingested plastics or bio waste.

Our sea life needs to be protected from all the crap that is dumped, it's your job to make sure that happens.

Your Heather Wood

49

Dear UNOC decision-makers,

The future of the world's oceans is important to me, because I have grand-children who live in Kenya.  As the oceans become warmer, the air above the land becomes dry and Kenya suffers drought, causing crop-failures and food shortages.

Another reason to protect the oceans is that we know very little about them, and practices such as bottom-trawling may do irreversible damage to under-sea life, before we even have a clear knowledge of what is there.

A third reason to protect the oceans is that there is already far too much plastic in them, being degraded into micro-plastic particles which are eaten by fish and eventually find their way into the bodies of humans who eat the fish.  Already, all of us have microplastics in our bodies, and no-one knows what the long-term results of this will be.

A fourth reason to protect the oceans is that they contain highly intelligent animals such as whales and cephalopods, which should be respected and preserved.

Please take the protection of the oceans very seriously.

Yours sincerely,

Ruth Bradshaw (Mrs).

London, United Kingdom

Email:  ruthbrad96@outlook.com

50

Dear UNOC delegates, the ocean protection Against all bottom trawling, deep sea mining and plastic pollution is Critical to humans survival and climate change. This is an emergency, for food security to protect the extinction of fish and other animals including humans, that are all in this chain for survival. It is critical that we don't ravish and destroy our oceans it will have catastrophic effect and on our lives and next near generations. A healthy ocean means a healthy world this cannot be ignored if we want to survive beyond 2 generations, it's as categoric as that.

51

Dear UNOC delegates,

I have been a pleasure seafearer for nearly 40 years. I have sailed thousands of miles including 4 passages across the North Atlantic Ocean. I can personally testify that plastic pollution is everywhere. I have seen plastic rubbish a 1000 miles from the nearest land. Please help and stop the pollution of our seas and sea shore, help persevere them for future generations

Kind regards

Mark Shallow

52

Dear UNOC delegates,

We can't afford to delay taking actions towards improving the situation of our oceans. The current practices harm our future and the future of our children and grandchildren. I take action as individual every day. I avoid plastic and I am vegan. I deeply care about the planet. I feel that we must change the way we exploit the oceans through overfishing and polluting the waters. The practice of bottom throwling is so damaging to the ecosystem. This is so urgent and ignoring people's pleas is no longer okay. The research on positive impact of plant based diet,  for example by professor Joseph Poole of Oxford University is very compelling, fishing and fish farming destroy habitats and cause irreversible damage.

With Best wishes

Patrycja Rees

53

Dear UNOC,  it's time to face reality and act superior, as we always believed to be.

Stop sea mining.

Stop overfishing.

Stop wasting fish lives to be discarded as not needed.

PLEASE.

54

Decreasing the production of plastic in all countries is imperative. Please discuss an alternative protective material.

55

Deep sea mining for our greed is ridiculous! Bottom trawling and over fishing are leading to more eco problems that you are making us pay for!

56

Deep sea trawling is so destructive on so many levels - it needs to be curtailed and 50% of the oceans should be protected for nature.

57

Do something about it before it is too late, the damage can't be reversed!

58

Do the right thing and protect our oceans for everyone's future please

59

Earth is the most beautiful creation we know. It has inspired us in many ways. Wouldn't it be wonderful if people in the future could experience the same beauty in real life.

60

61

62

everything possible should be done as soon as

63

Following up on David Attenborough's latest documentary, 'Ocean', please take heed of his advice, "Save The Oceans and save The Planet."

64

For humanities sake.

65

For the sake of future generations please, please help protect our beautiful life giving oceans.

66

For the sake of our grand children who deserve beautiful oceans

67

For the sake of Wildlife within the ocean, bottom trawling & plastic waste needs to be addressed.

68

69

Get real. Protect our oceans and water courses fast, these are not endless resources, nor can they just be monitored. They deserve protection & removing from corporate controls. A lighter footprint is the only way or our world will be entirely cancerous.

70

Give the oceans a chance, they support all life on earth. Overfishing,  exploitation of oil, gas and other habitat destruction is causing systems collapse. By protecting sensitive areas and artisans fishing we can restore much of what we have lost. The greed of a few is taking away an abundant future for all.

71

God created Life and all that is good - Man created Money and all that it generates as evil ; please respect and save our oceans and our Planet.

72

Greed not need!

73

Have you watched David Attenborough's film 'Oceans'? If not you must watch it and then act now to stop the appalling act of bottom sea trawling so that we can save our oceans and then help to protect our own species. Thank-you for your actions today to protect future generations.

74

Having lived by the sea for a large proportion of my life it has become abundantly clear that the oceans are the engine that drives our natural world - you know, the one that we rely on for survival.

Nature, whether flora or fauna, rely on a healthy ocean as indeed do our weather patterns.

By spoiling or overly pillaging the life and minerals within our oceans is, quite simply, issuing a death warrant for ourselves.

Please, for our own sakes, care for our oceans.

75

Healthy oceans are as important as healthy air, critical to human and other forms of life. While ocean-based commercial operations need to occur, they must operate within guidelines strict enough to sufficiently prevent impact on current or future generations' access to healthy functioning oceans and ocean life. This is not only to protect vital food chains and biodiversity, but also critical in regards to the oceans' stabilising climate effects.

Oceans have too long been in the worry about later basket, we are at a critical juncture in human existence where the true and important nature of the oceans is now far better understood, and all evidence points to the criticality of maintaining their health for our present and future security. Examples such as deep sea mining; bottom trawling; super trawlers; plastic, chemical and other pollutions, to name just a few aspects, all require strict international controls and monitoring.

For myself, my family, my friends, all who we know and do not know, oceans require rigorous protections from dangerous short term greed. We implore the UNOC to act with sufficient seriousness and haste to protect these vital and wonderful environments.

76

Healthy oceans are essential.  Over fishing causes not only harm to people but the oceanic ecosystems .

77

Healthy oceans are vital for all life on earth and play a huge role in mitigating the worst effects of climate change. Our oceans are in crisis due to relentless oil and gas drilling, destructive fishing practices like bottom trawling, and 14 million tonnes of plastic getting dumped there each year. For the sake of all life on earth, including humanity, please take decisive action to protect our oceans. Lesley Benzie

78

hello, "We all who live on planet home" only have one Global sea ,we must protect this now and forever ,for future Global natives to see and protect, we all have a moral duty to do our Duty ,and also  save and protect our Undersea friends wh  rely on us to help them thrive "

79

Hi there UNOC delegates.

I saw a picture recently of the ocean, and all I saw was a vast amount of fishing vessels, this view brought to me a perspective I had not realised before now , just how organised, sophisticated equipment is on, the so called fishing industry had become & the size of fishing fleets & how many all at once. The ocean is a living being in itself. All the life that used to live in it takes time to reproduce. There are many plant alternatives that are All so becoming sophisticate d these days. The laziness of human kind to make the effort to change

80

How can I look my grandchildren in the eye and admit we let our sea and oceans become in the appalling state they now are...overheating causing death of coral reefs, melting office, flooding,, drilling for oil and gas, destroying fish stocks by greedy bottom trawler fishing plastic that fish have ingested then humans . We have a duty to care for our world...all of us for future generations. Please do your duty. Thank you.

81

How I wish I could be there to contribute to the Health and environmental growth of the worlds

82

Human overpopulation drives industrial scale overfishing, plastic pollution and climate change

83

Humanity relies on the rest of the natural world to thrive, and the oceans are an essential part of that world. Let us not forget where we come from.

84

Humanity stands at a critical moment when it comes to protection and enhancement of the world's oceans. I urge UNOC delegates to take this vital opportunity to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to prevent irreparable harm to ocean environments and to facilitate positive steps to harness their potential to reverse global warming, replenish biodiversity and support sustainable communities.

85

Humankind is responsible for the polluting and destroying of the oceans. We still have chance to stop at least to try. If you as our leaders and in position of power do not speak out but most importantly DO something to stop our human destruction then we will no longer have a home. All of us plants and animals.

86

Humans are killing this planet with their greed. Killing our food chain we do not have the right it is not our planet.

87

Humans have created this crisis for all living things on land and in sea ; it's way past time that we did the right thing and concentrate on trying to preserve life not destroy it.

88

Humans MUST stop trashing the Earth is we are to survive as a race!  The pollution we have caused is absolutely horrendous. Children have never been SO chronically ill  as they are now. The wildlife species is in danger above and below the Oceans are being annihilated due to man's greed for money - We must find ways of renewing the waste we constantly make, and use what we have more wisely- to give an Earth worth living in for our grandchildren, great grandchildren and beyond…. For gods sake STOP this pollution.

89

I am 84 and feel very unhappy to think that the world is killing our oceans, but also the Earth itself.  You are our only hope to stop this tragedy from happening.

90

I am a 67 year old man and I have loved all of nature all my life. Since 18 years ago I have been extremely fortunate to have been a scuba diver, and I have seen the extraordinary beauty the oceans contained then, and the desecrating effect of global warming upon them since. But there is still tremendous beauty in them, so fabulous were they then. For the last 15 years I have campaigned daily for many, many good causes, but the most important ones of all for me have always been all animals, including humans, and the natural environment. The contents of the oceans are absolutely essential. Ecology is the interdependence of all of nature; it has been said again and again by intelligent people because it is true. The oceans' contents are necessary, incredibly interesting, wonderfully beautiful and utterly deserving of preservation. For me this is a truth so self-evident it surely cannot need me to be telling it to you. We all know what politics are about and how pleasing it is to accumulate money. However, please do the right thing and protect them.

91

I am an 80 year old Italian and I remember well how the sea was when I was a teenager. Please do everything possible to save the sea from the great troubles we have done and continue to do. Please leave the clean sea to future generations. Thank you.

92

I am an engineer, working on innovation concepts related to the UN SDGs. Most of the time I connect with several universities around the UK. I also mentor aspirational students, promoting STEAM subjects. During meetings, at all levels, discussions often turn to the environment, in particular, the growing anxieties about our oceans, lakes and rivers, and the inter-connected relationships between humans and wildlife and habitats. In every case, the call is for governments, in ALL countries, to mobilise action plans to tackle two main issues: 1) Changing the culture of people to stop disposing of rubbish into any water; 2) Divert resources - money and manpower - to reverse the growing tide of pollution. People and organisations are on hand; however, they alone cannot do what is necessary. It is a global crisis requiring all governments to work together. We must act, NOW.

93

I am asking you to please consider the serious nature of your decisions regarding the oceans of our planet, decisions

which will affect all of humanity, not just the affluent corporations who wish to profit from these decisions.

Healthy oceans play a critical role in balancing the overall functioning of our planet and therefore  the general wellbeing of all inhabitants of the earth. Further destruction of the oceans ecosystems through deep sea mining, overfishing and plastic pollution will obviously be disastrous. We can already see the results of this - to pursue profits at the expense of losing/ruining the natural environment is nothing short of madness, to prefer hurricanes,  floods and raging fires as a result of pure greed is totally selfish.

I want my grandchildren to have a bright future to look forward to, clean seas to enjoy and a safer environment.

Your decisions can make a difference! Please decide wisely.

94

I am concerned about dumping sewer in our oceans and the killing of sharks for their fins for shark fin soup taking out the top of the food chain in the ocean, although the other situations are relevant too, plastic should not be dumped in our oceans find other ways to recycle waste like in other countries.

95

I am concerned as oceans have a critical role in protecting us from climate change.   Polluted oceans have damaged ecosystems.   Living creatures that can protect us from climate change are being destroyed.   Bottom trawling is very destructive to important life forms and ecosystems.  Please think of our children's future.

96

I am extremely concerned about the health of the oceans which are so important to our survival.

There needs to be a lot more effort to clean up the huge amount of rubbish, particularly plastic, accumulating and being dumped in the sea.  In India where they believe "Mother Ganges" cleans herself, a huge amount of rubbish is thrown into the river, which, of course, ends up in the sea. 

More control should be enforced on massive fishing vessels and the way they fish e.g. bottom trawling.  This disturbs marine life, sometimes irreparably.  Overfishing is depleting stocks and is starving sea mammals, fish and birds. 

Pollution of the ocean by oil and other industries is killing sea mammals and fish. 

Please do something to stop this wanton destruction for future generations and the preservation of our vital ocean world.

Helen Thomson

97

I am sharing a personal story of why the ocean is important to me, I have multiple disability and health issues which sea immersion helps to alleviate pain and mobility when used for therapy as the sea is buoyant, some other forms of water are not as therapeutic; I also mention that the future of my kids, grandkids and great grandkids who will be unable to admire, experience and enjoy the wonders of oceans full of delights; I must also talk about the ocean's critical role in climate change, damage to the oceans will affect and contribute to the destruction of ecosystems and ultimately the demise of our Earth;  I believe that with all the talk about overfishing it is very important to open discussions with the worlds Governments who can develop a strategy whereby the fishing can be dealt with fairly and for all who use the sea for their food and livelihoods, deep sea mining, bottom trawling, plastic pollution are not monitored effectively and are  having a disastrous affect on the water creatures whose home is severely affected by the indiscriminate and illegal use; I must highlight those who depend on a vibrant, clean Ocean, I cannot forget to mention the enormous amount of world wide coastal communities who rely on a healthy ocean and would be severely affected or decimated by ignoring the pollution and neglect of the worlds streams, rivers, estuaries, seas and oceans, these are all connected to the recycling of water which we all rely on and are vital to some and extremely valuable to all humanity; all sea life, animals and plants on our planet Earth depend on these water elements.

98

I am so distressed by the many invasions of our seas in our times. I take note of David Attenborough's claim that the oceans are the lifeblood of this planet, and that if we take care of the oceans, we can save our planet for the future.

99

I am so very concerned about all the reports about the damage being meted out causing harm to the wildlife living in the oceans. Too much overfishing, deep sea mining, enormous deposits of plastics both dumped in the seas and that are left on beaches which get washed into the sea. More emphasis should be focussing on saving our oceans and encouraging less overfishing by the big internationally owned trawlers and more support for local fisheries.

100

I beg you to protect the oceans and marine life. I am heartbroken by the plundering and destruction of our planet, which gives and sustains all life. I fear for my grandchildren's future

101

I don't live near the ocean but it's still important to me that it is cleaned up and kept clean of plastics and other pollutants. It's important to me that bottom trawling is stopped so wildlife flourishes and our food sources are protected. It's important to me that oil and gas production is stopped to slow down climate change and help prevent ice melt and rising sea levels that could destroy many peoples homes and countries. If we want a safe and sustainable world we have to look after our oceans - they belong to all of us on our only habitable planet

102

I feel it is absolutely imperative that we must protect our oceans using every safeguard possible. We as a human race have done so much damage, polluting the waters with our waste plastic, not to mention deep sea mining and bottom trawling which are all so destructive. I am so ashamed of what we have done to spoil our beautiful oceans for future generations, including my own grandchildren. We absolutely have to try and prevent more damage by strong laws as well as cleaning up the mess we have made.

103

I feel very strongly that the future of our oceans is now at a turning point. We need the seas to be healthy so the planet is healthy. The world's oceans need to be there for future generations.

104

I hate to think that my grandchildren will have to deal with the consequences of our greed and stupidity

105

I have a grandson, who is not yet two years old. My wish is that he grows up in a world where native species are abundant in the oceans and we humans are not exploiting the very part of the earth that gives us hope.

106

I have had incredible moments in and on the ocean. Moments where mantas have looked meet in the eye, being circled by a shark whilst sailing around Britain, seen schools of fish bigger than I could ever have imagined. These things will become rarer and rarer until the time when my grandchildren will not know they ever existed. The ocean is our survival as a species and to put business above its survival as a functioning organ spells our demise. If you have children then you will know what to do.

107

I have just come from visiting the Eden Project, an inspiring and essential reminder of how interconnected and interdependent we are with our environment.  We need to stop the exploitation and embrace co-operation with these aspects of the earth we live in if we are to improve our world and further our humanity.

108

I have no idea (other than greed obviously) why despite the irrefutable facts we seem unable to legislate enough to protect the earth for our own survival. Please do whatever you can to make the tough decisions now. Anything you achieve will be your legacy.

109

I have recently stopped eating fish, not because I want to, but because I cannot condone the fishing techniques that are being used, which destroy marine ecosystems. I lived near the sea as a child, we often ate wild sea trout, mussels, cockles and shrimps. Now nearly all the fish available in shops is farmed, the sizes of the individual fish are small, the shopkeepers tell me they get fish from Norway, Ireland, not the UK. I am dismayed by what has happened to our world.

110

I have scuba dived the UK south coast and gone into areas where bottom trawlers have been active and the destruction is absolute! It is heart-breaking to see this practice is allowed when it takes so long to recover from, and all for a small portion of people to enjoy seafood that could be diver-caught and sold at a price that reflects its worth. Please, please stop companies from doing this to our oceans. Watch the David Attenborough film if you haven't seen it, and see how setting up marine reserves benefits both the planet and the fishermen.

My 15yo daughter wants to be a marine biologist and protect our precious oceans. Please consider passing on something that is worth protecting.

Yours sincerely,

Julie Brazier

111

I implore you all to make decisions that reflect the future wellbeing of our planet and future generations and to ignore the decisions that will mean short term mass profits and long term pain.

112

I live in the seaside town of Homer, Alaska. Fishing is a huge industry here, providing fish for the entire country. The amount of fish is diminishing.  The health of the fish is in question. Human's unsustainable activity, fueled by greed and ignorance is destroying our world.  If nothing is done to self-correct...we're heading toward our own demise.

113

I live very close to the sea and it remains an amazing mystery. For too long we have regarded it as a dumping place, and open to exploitation. We created huge dead zones. We've evidenced that we have very little understanding of it's mystery and beauty. The many species that live in our/their ocean depend on us looking after it. And we too benefit in many ways from healthy oceans. Please do all you can to protect our oceans!

114

I love the animals that live in the ocean as well as land animals.They are more important to the planet than we are and must be protected. The ocean is being overfished,deep sea mining and bottom trawling are disgusting and pathetic, and plastic pollution is out of control. We must act NOW for the sake of future generations!

115

I once wrote a program for a museum about the massive herring industry in Buckie, Scotland. In those days fish still had a sporting chance, and herring plentiful. Now we have radar and sonar and gps and massive factory ships that locate entire shoals (all the same age) and just hoover them all up.

Puffin and other seabird numbers have collapsed as bottom trawlers are permitted to scour the ocean floor for sandeels. Everywhere nature is in crisis and now there's pressure to mine the sea floor for manganese nodules that took thousands of years to form.

It's always about short term money but no-one seems to care about the future of even our own offspring. It is always too little too late. Technology isn't going to magically solve Climate change, pull plastic out of the oceans etc. But we do have an opportunity to reduce our impact on other species and it's up to you guys to leave a legacy worthy of the name by acting now to protect our oceans.

116

I recently watched David Attenborough's film ocean, and was heartbroken when I saw the damage that the deep sea trawlers were doing to the life under the Ocean. Also the big fishing boats that were taking all the fish from coastal communities. I am feeling hopeful that this UNOC will be able to make a big difference, and that countries will create reserves for the fish to be able to recover from being overfished.

117

I remember swimming in the Mediterranean as a small child in the 1960s - that warm and inviting experience, never wanting to climb out, the sheer pleasure as I shared the ocean with the fishes and sea plants. And then the fishermen coming in with their daily catch - no bottom trawling, no overfishing - just fresh fish in beach cafes. I remember too, the day after a storm, all the plastic garbage rolling in on the tide. I also remember my seven year old son getting very ill after a trip to Greece, his eyes swollen, somewhere in the 1990s and the GP saying the Med had become toxic. The ocean teaches us something about love and about health and respect for the natural world, about interdependence. I won't go into the science; you know it. But we need all our seas. For our children, our grandchildren ... let them have the experience I had - please protect it.

118

I respectfully ask you to consider your role as a protector of the planet, rather than as a bystander avoiding responsibility or looking away. You can be a leader, considering the future. Or you can be just another politician who offers words but no action. Please vote to stop bottom trawling fishing practices which we know for a fact are hugely destructive. Thank you.

119

I see Ocean destruction caused by short term greed, causing long term havoc. Similar to killing the goose that lays the golden egg. In pantomimes we smile at the fool who does it. But our society wines and dines those blind fools, for fear of standing out.

120

I shouldn't have to share a story as to why this is so vital - we should all feel an overwhelming need to protect our oceans, and everything living in it. It's our duty.

121

I swim in the sea with friends despite it being unsafe, the fish, aquatic creatures and seabirds don't know that.. shameful

122

I totally agree with keeping our oceans healthy and protect these oceans for the future generations

123

I want my future grandchildren to be able to see sea creatures such as dolphins turtles seahorses thriving in the ocean. I'm so concerned that at the rate that it is now happening of pollution and climate changes this seems unlikely that my grandchildren will be ever to see any sea creatures in their natural environment. The amount of plastic pollution is staggering and nothing is being done about it, this needs to be broadcasted to all the world. Overfishing is widespread and I'm seeing dead creatures left on the sand as they weren't needed, so sad to see. Please unite and make a difference to our planet

124

I want my grandchildren to live in a world that has not been suffocated in plastic waste, we want you to use your power for GOOD and ban single plastic use, when I read to them about the dinosaurs, and the asteroid that wiped them out, I don't want them to remember us for the asteroid of our own making!!!!

125

I want to join your business

126

I want to see an end to bottom trawling and deep sea mining. We must address plastic pollution. We evolved from the sea and we depend on our oceans for oxygen and weather patterns enabling us to grow food. Many cultures depend on fishing for their livelihoods. The amazing biodiversity of the sea must be protected.

127

I was born and raised a Londoner. Each year my mother carted her four boisterous children and a dog to the blustery Norfolk coast and each year on first seeing the ocean I would say, "I've come home." I'm 78 and have worked across the world as a nutritionist focussing on mother and child health.  I fear that my three beloved grandchildren will never have their own grandchildren. In 1980s war torn Mozambique with its beautiful, food rich coast, I saw wading women with tridents, spearing their families' suppers, but  'development' meant planning for export of these seas' riches. Foreign powers pay African governments to exploit their seas causing communities to lose time-honoured and sustainable ways of life. Returning in 2017 I saw women repeatedly casting nets into the incoming evening tide with no results. The beach was bare of crustaceans and molluscs. Professor Michael Crawford argues that all civilisations arose by the sea because the essential fatty acids in fish and sea food are crucial for human brain development.  Though too encompassing a theory for me  (what about Tibet et al?) I extol fish, molluscs etc as ideal first foods for babies after 6 months while breastfeeding continues. Now these ultra-nutritious foods are contaminated with plastic waste, heavy metals, 'forever' chemicals and human waste. Not because the millions of children are getting better diets (they're now fed ultra-processed industrialised foods increasing obesity, diabetes etc)   but because the rich of the world (and that includes all the middle classes) stoke the demand for excess quantities of prestigious sea food and farmed fish, distorting nature's balanced bounty.  More heinous is that we feed domesticated and pet animals and fertilise our denuded land with sea products. And as for the armies of fossil-fuelled, polluting shipping! This transports a super-excess of unnecessary products that makes a few people pathologically wealthy, feeds a greed constructed by marketing, and distributes the behemoth of waste, pollution and permanent harm at every level. The sea and the earth have enough for human need but not for human greed.  I've worked in places where the Mother Sea Goddess is revered and celebrated. I hope those who believe in her are praying to her now.

128

I was born within 100 meters from the sea. My childhood was spent on the beach or in the water. I love the ocean, however I am becoming more and more afraid for it. Humans continue to use the ocean like an infinite resource, but in fact it is so fragile. 

Our ocean ecosystems are being damaged and destroyed by human greed. For example, (this is one of many I could choose from), our love of salmon has caused the farmed salmon industry to grow exponentially. The salmon need to be fed and huge fishing boats scoop up whole shoals of pilchard and sprats which are used to manufacture pellets of food for the salmon. This has dreadful knock on effects, the water in the sea lochs becomes too full of nutrients (caused by uneaten food and salmon faeces) which in turn encourages algae to bloom, starving the water of oxygen and causing mass die off of the fish and all other living creatures. Sea lice accumulate in the salmon farms, the fish cannot get away and are being eaten alive by the huge numbers of lice. Controlling the lice is difficult, for the salmon and the environment, (either manually scraping off the lice or using chemicals to kill the lice.)

The overfishing of pilchard off Southern Ireland for example has removed the fish that the local population of whales eat. A whale watching business established over 25 years has recently had to close because there are simply no whales left to watch.

Mineral exploitation of the seabed is a disaster waiting to happen, we cannot keep treating our ocean as a resource just for humans, it is a living dynamic ecosystem which needs our protection because without it functioning in its proper way we will all be less able to function as happy normal individuals. The ocean is absolutely essential for our continued survival on the Earth, yet we continue to treat it as a liquid landfill.

129

I watched Sir David Attenborough 's film Oceans and I was horrified by the destruction but as he showed the ocean has an amazing ability to heal if it is left in peace. Please protect 30%of the ocean as science recommends to combat climate change, Act as a reservoir of fish spilling over into surrounding areas giving a long term future for fishing communities and allowing our children to marvel at the beauty of the sea. Soon it will be too late and future generations will blame this one

130

I will just talk to you about my love for sea, for swimming in the sea and the joy of living by the sea. Increasingly we have to ask ourselves each time we want to go swimming whether it is safe to do so or whether the pollution from untreated waste is too great. Why do humans think that the oceans are like rubbish bins? The health of our oceans is crucial to the health of all beings in the sea and on the land.

131

I would like my grandchildren to enjoy healthy oceans teaming with life.

132

I would make sure everyone at the Conference watched David Attenborough's film OCEAN.  We cannot go on sacrificing the fish stocks and destroying the ocean bed for the sake of humanity as that will ultimately destroy us.

133

I, amongst so many others, are relying on you to protect our Oceans from exploitation and the subsequent destruction. I'm recently a Grandmother so the urgent need for conservation and sustainability are even more important to me emotionally as well as being the only intelligent and meaningful option.

134

If Amazonian tribes can live sustainably, why can't everyone else?

135

If forests are the planet's lungs, rivers and oceans are its life-blood.  They contain whole ecosystems, helping feed the world and providing essential work for the fishermen and -women who reap their bounty.  They help oxygenate our atmosphere; they help absorb atmospheric heat - absolutely essential in combating climate change, at least until the world comes to its senses and stops polluting the very systems on which life itself depends.  They must be preserved and cherished, instead of ruthlessly exploited and polluted, for our children and grandchildren (for whom they're also an endless playground, as I remember well from my own childhood).  It's absolutely essential for the survival of the planet to stop bottom-trawling, rubbish- and sewage-dumping, deep sea mining for oil and other minerals, and over-fishing (else we shall have no fish at all, either to eat or just to enjoy in their beauty). Every aspect of our health, our welfare, our nourishment and our pleasure, is affected by our oceans and rivers: please don't let's ruin them and slowly kill ourselves.  Suicide used to be illegal: what an enormous pity that - in this regard - it isn't still.  Or since it actually is, in this regard, what a pity the perpetrators of harm aren't prosecuted, adequately fined, and jailed, a great deal more often!

136

137

If life in the sea is wiped out our eco system will collapse

138

If our oceans are not healthy we cannot be healthy

139

If UNOC doesn't take action now, every delegate's life will be affected by the resulting collapse of the ecosystem. There will be no edible fish, less oxygen in our air and millions who rely on the sea for their livelihoods will fall into starvation.

140

If we continue to destroy life in our oceans, there will be a direct impact on life on our shores.  Humans need a clean, healthy environment in order to survive, and a vital part of our ability to survive and thrive is linked to life in our oceans.  We need to work harder and smarter to fight against overfishing.  We need to work harder and smarter and invest more in research and development of clean, sustainable energy sources.  We need to globally prohibit the production of all plastics that cannot be recycled, and we need to globally prohibit the production of every form of toxic waste (poisons and forever chemicals) in order to ensure our oceans can comfortably continue to sustain all life forms that live in the sea.  And we desperately need to stop interfering with sharks, whales and dolphins so they can thrive in their various roles in the oceans.  Our oceans need apex predators like sharks.  Our oceans need all the natural life forms that inhabit the watery depths.  Humans MUST halt global warming otherwise all life will wither and die, onshore and offshore.

141

If we could save the ocean before it's too late maybe we could save the planet too

142

If we do not stop abusing the earths oceans we are in grave danger of self limiting the human race. Now we must remove the plastic waste which is blighting all the seas living creatures. It is paramount that we do it now. All nations must realise they have to do their share so this wonderful resource will be available and fit for generations to come. I do not want my generation tarnished with the stigma of knowing about  it but did nothing.

143

144

If we don't stop putting human greed ahead of the health of the planet right now, we will kill our planet!! We have already done so much damage, with the millions of tonnes of plastic we have dumped in the oceans, to the utter destruction of marine environments & the creatures that call it their home.

If real action isn't put into place now, then it WILL be too late

145

If we prioritise protecting our oceans there is a future for everyone - fishing industry included. If we don't properly protect at least 30% of our oceans the future looks bleak for us all - human health, planetary health, industry, climate change everything. We must think about the future and act now.

146

If you don't take serious meaningful action,big corporations will decimate the ocean floor with deep sea mining,as well as devastate fish and sea creature stocks. also more must be done to deplasticise our rivers/ oceans before it is too late.Money/ profits must not come first, or within 50 - 100 years we will have Armageddon!

147

If you let the deep sea mining and the bottom trawling keep going there is nothing going to be left in our oceans. We need to clean up the plastics. Our coastal communities depend on healthy oceans and so do the creatures that live in them. We have to stop the oil wells do not be putting in anymore that are in our oceans. You're killing off animals in our oceans. You're destroying the environment. Even the coral in our oceans are alive with microscopic little creatures. We have to take care of our Waters the oceans and the seas please for our future of our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren. We want them to enjoy the beaches to be able to go surfing to be able to go boating like we have clean up our Waters. Do not over fish do not do all the things that are happening now let's stop it we have to stop it now or there will be nothing left. We have to take a stand. The ocean and the seas are changing with the climate it makes a big difference in our weather we have to stop and keep it cleaned up clean up the beaches clean up the waters do what you have to to help. Thank you very much God bless.

148

149

In our time, we each know that all living things are interdependent. Even if we are unable to experience it for ourselves, there is something deeply comforting in knowing that the oceans are rich with life's diversity.

When marine biologists invited me to help them raise awareness about oceanic pollution by marrying two Sea Green Turtles, Cammy and Ernie, meeting them and getting to know their story of being brought together after they were separately rescued from toxic plastic pollution, it really brought it home to me how urgently we humans need to clean up our act and stop producing plastics that are like a poison in our planets immune system.

All I have the power to do is express deep, loving respect for the lives that human activity are bringing chaos to every day. That chaos is dangerously out of hand for not only other living things, but for humanity itself.  You have the power to do something for all life on earth; something that your children's, children's, children's, children will be grateful for as they live happier, healthier, safer, fulfilling lives because of the decisions you made in these times.

Our lives are enriched not by money, power or possessions - but by the incredible beauty of the world around us, that we can keep amazing by walking through it gently rather than stomping on it with great, heavy boots.

Please, for us all to have a future, do the right thing.

150

In the light of David Attenborough's Documentary: "Oceans", it clear that we must increase the protection of our Oceans to well above 30% in the Treaty

151

Is profit more important than the genocide of the ocean world? Genocide of the ocean world = extinction of Earth.

 Healthy and sustainable ocean world means jobs in coastal communities = more money in tax payments to governments.

Salmon is no longer fished in the wild thanks to Greed, it is provided to retailers solely from farms. These salmon communities are no longer disease free or genetically diverse.

As the most prolific species on Earth we are responsible for the mass extinction events being seen across diverse and delicate ecosystems, ergo we have the responsibility to attempt to at least rescue the Earth and her many diverse children from genocide caused by humanity's stupidity and greed!!!

152

Is there nothing us humans can leave alone?  It is past the time to prohibit deep sea mining and factory fishing.  Stop the oil industry from sidestepping into over production of plastics.  Do we not understand the meaning of a finite?  and the role of our oceans in maintaining a liveable planet.  Everything done to excess is a direct route to extinction - our own and the myriads of wonderful life forms on our planet.

153

It feels non sensible to continue to abuse our oceans, life originates from here. It is on a larger scale, a form a self abuse, in the way that an addict would self harm.

154

It has the same priority as climate change.  Animals are dying because of pollution, and rubbish thrown in the sea; neglecting to haul up the fishing nets out of the sea to prevent large fish getting tangled up.  Protecting our animals and fish from dying because of not caring.

155

It is ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE that all Nations do their utmost to protect our oceans and all life in them.

156

It is already almost too late, do something now or have a major hand in the demise of the planet and everyone on it. We need to oceans to breathe, to live. Think about your children and childrens' children please you have the power to change trajectory, your actions have never mattered more!

157

It is critical that our oceans are protected- the many species that live there need our protection. Who are we to decide that we will disregard them?

158

It is critical that we protect our oceans. They are currently being trashed by many countries. It has to stop NOW

159

It is crucial that dredging the bottom of the ocean and trawling for fish is banned. The devastating effect that these two practices have on the health of oceans is unbearable to witness. Healthy oceans can play a vital role in the future life of the planet with their ability to capture more carbon than any other area on earth.

160

It is far easier to destroy something as complicated as our oceans, than it is to repair it!

161

It is imperative that you do the right and moral thing by protecting the oceans for all future generations.

162

It is now that we must act before it is too late. Our oceans are under stress from over fishing, climate change and plastic pollution. If there is no action taken our generation will be remembered as those who were too weak to make good decisions when needed. I don't want to think I did nothing so wake up and take action now!

163

It is often said that  the amazon jungle represents the "lungs of the planet" I am not witty enough to come up with an aquatic equivalent but I am sure that  protecting the oceans is vital for maintaining the earth's biosphere.

164

It is suicide for all life if you don't.....please feel responsible

165

It is vital

166

It is vital for our planet's future that EVERY nation with a sea-shore pledges to STOP overfishing, deep-sea mining and bottom-trawling. What is more, EVERY nation MUST set aside a significant area of its waters as a conservation area.

To understand the vital need for these measures, EVERY delegate should view and understand the film "Ocean", narrated by David Attenborough.

167

It will help the environment

168

It's absolutely crucial that we protect our Oceans! You well know the many problems and can act to help save our Oceans. More than 30% - we need to aim for 100% protection!!

169

It's our last chance; be brave and protect marine life and habitats for all our futures.

170

It's plainly obvious - there are people (countries, companies and individuals) who view Nature with greedy selfish irresponsible eyes as theirs to plunder. With no positive consideration for Nature itself. They are the arch enemy. As in all wars there are also the millions of passive onlookers who do nothing of consequence. The result is that Nature in the Oceans, Rivers, Forests, Meadows, Mountains and Deserts is being destroyed. Responsible Nations, Organisations and People must pull together deliberately and persistently to fight this war for the benefit of Nature. Can someone convince Trump to become an environmentalist?

171

It's a great shame on our species that we are a scourge of almost every natural habitat on our planet. With the exception of indigenous communities who exercise great care of the environments they live in, and who suffer the most when others are careless with in their actions, our ways of life are causing climate change and risking ecosystem collapse across the globe. Please act to save the wildlife of our oceans, protect their effects on our climate, and protect the conscientious people who make their honest and careful living from their resources. Thank you.

172

It's crucial to to protect our oceans to support biodiversity, regulating the earths climate and food security. The oceans also produce half of Earths Oxygen due to single celled plants, phytoplankton. Our oceans also support thousands of communities through fishing. It's crucial to protect our oceans and their species.

173

It's our responsibility 2 undoubtedly all the damage we have done using the knowledge we have acquired, it's called conscious evolution regardless of cash.

174

It's time we all and the world leaders included protected our Oceans because all our future totally depends on this.

175

Jacques Cousteau pioneered revelatory and brilliant  researching marine biology in the 1950s and 60s - the health of the ocean is paramount. How we can ignore his information and so many others after him?

176

Just think, the oceans are the source of the natural life of the earth. We all depend on it staying healthy and not being exhausted or contaminated.

Action has to be taken now. And it's up to us.

In fact, it's up to you.

177

keep all sea and ocean safe for all life in and on it and we humans that live on the land and feed on life from the seas and oceans

178

Kill sea life and you destroy human life too. Life on ears depends on healthy seas.

179

Leave all fish alone, the sea is nearly empty with all this killing & torture which is ruining everything. Generation will have nothing or know if this world but from books.

180

Leave well alone

181

Life began in the Ocean. If the Ocean is damaged, it will be the end of life on Earth, sadly

182

Living on the Isle of Wight I realise how important our seas, rivers and oceans are. Mega fishing trawlers need to be made illegal. No more bottom trawling. Stop polluting our head and rivers with waste. This must be the aim.

183

Many solutions are quite simple, please act now. Think about future generations

184

Many species of animals and plants rely on our oceans to live and thrive. They deserve a clean environment in which to thrive. We take that from them daily. Pollution, overfishing, deep bottom trawling which kills all life there; way too many plastics in the oceans - a legacy of the laziness of mankind to properly dispose of them - killing turtles and other creatures in a slow and painful way. This is unacceptable on every level. It is our role as mankind to care for the animals and plants around us. Plus, apart from being our responsibility, if we don't know by now that the wellbeing of the natural world affects our own human wellbeing, then we ought to. Wise up. Take responsibility for the state of the oceans NOW. Do something about this while humans still have the chance. Failing to do this puts all our lives at risk.

185

Marine life is vital and need protection

186

My family and I live near the sea.  Besides being a beautiful place to live, we need to save our oceans from climate change particularly but plastic, overfishing, deep sea mining and any threat to our beautiful oceans.  Without our oceans I am sure mankind will not survive.

187

my friend has invented alginate plastic, so no more pollution or estrogen poisoning necessary, tell me why this has not happened already?

188

Now more than ever before our oceans must be made as healthy as fast as possible and protected for a liveable planet for all beings

189

Ocean protection is incredibly important. Our Oceans welfare impacts every living thing on the planet,  not just humans and animals but everything in nature. Protection is vital for all of us.

190

Ocean protection matters.

1.Biodiversity.oceans are home to divert marine life from tiny plankton to massive blue whales

191

Oceans are a place of wonder and joy, and our critical to our collective survival on this planet. They must be protected, both for the species that call them home, and for the humans that depend on their climate regulating effects!

192

Oceans are a vital part of a fight against climate change. We need to take care of our waters for future generations.

193

Oceans are an intricate part if our ecosystem and must be seriously protected from pollution, overfishing and deep sea mining. The future is in your hands.

194

Oceans are central the health of the planet.

195

Oceans are crucial to the health of the planet.  They and their inhabitants must be protected from ALL of man's intrusions.  The illegal netting of dolphins, sharks and other sea creatures, whales being killed by the proliferation of ships in their habitats, plastic waste, bottom trawling, deep sea mining and overfishing are all due to humans invading the deeps for profit and greed.  UNOC must do more to protect oceans!

196

Oceans are life's last hope on Earth. We must preserve and enhance them. Too many times, we have bitten off the hand of nature that feeds us. We MUST NOT do it to the oceans. Please, make robust, ocean saving decisions and execute them.

197

Oceans are not a rubbish dump! To be poisoned, polluted, murdered, ripped apart and depleted. Oceans should be cherished and looked after. We need cherished oceans to have a future

198

Oceans are so important for Healthy planet

199

Oceans are the air of our Planet. Pollution, plastic bags etc. In the water are choking us. Whales, turtles  fish etc., are being destroyed, big trawlers are looting our fish. Something has to be done NOW! Ruin our Oceand and you ruin and destroy our bea planet! Help our Oceans and you will help mankind.

200

Oceans connect us

We are waves of one vast sea

ACT - for humanity

201

Oceans die earth dies

202

Oceans play a critical role in climate change, overfishing, deep sea mining, bottom trawling, plastic pollution are all destroying our oceans. Not only do coastal communities rely on a healthy ocean, but we all do.

203

Once they are lost they never return

204

One of my great passions is going scuba diving - observing the many incredible and spectacular wonders living in our seas and oceans. Mankind sadly just thinks of our planet as something to be exploited, abused and overused rather than valued, appreciated and preserved. Carrying out bottom trawling or deep sea mining are particularly destructive, wiping clean the sea of any life. That is just one example of how the utter greed of mankind is senselessly killing wildlife and must be stopped. I dream of getting my son to see the wonders of our planet like I have, but sadly big business and politicians seem to be greedily collaborating together to pillage what is left on our planet leaving nothing for nature or future generations. This must stop before it is too late!

205

One of the joys in my life has been to swim in clean/clear water, this is not possible now. Our waters, the air we breathe and the food we eat are contaminated. The whole world is being damaged by greed and EVERYONE is affected by it. STOP POLLUTING OUR BEAUTIFUL WORLD. LOOK INTO YOURSELF AND STOP NOW.

206

One thing we cannot live without is water, We need to protect our oceans

207

Only long-term course to take for the OUR protection

208

Our children and grandchildren are imperilled by business as usual. We can't keep doing what we're doing to the oceans. The health of our marine environment is our health in the long term and even in the short term. We've been seeing what overfishing does. We mustn't add even more destruction to the marine enviornment. Remember, when people starve from lack of food, you can't eat money. Financial profit is not the deciding factor in human survival. Doing the right thing is.

209

Our oceans and the life within them are one of the keys to continued survival of the earth and everyone and everything upon it and must be protected at all costs.

210

Our oceans are a precious resouce that need protecting

Please protect them from relentless oil and gas drilling, destructive fishing practices like bottom trawling and 14 millon tonnes of plastic being dumped there each year.

Thank you

211

Our oceans are at imminent risk of being irreversibly damaged. This must be stopped.

212

Our oceans are being polluted by sewage waste from countries, including UK with human waste, threatening our fish consumption.

213

Our oceans are being trashed in every way imaginable.  The huge amount of plastic pollution floating in our seas, overfishing in the form of bottom trawling, sewage pollution, oil spills and deep sea mining, are all contributing to the destruction  of vital ecosystems. We are destroying one of the most important ecosystems we depend on for our survival.

Even Marine Protected Areas are not immune and numerous countries regularly allow bottom trawling in MPAs which is illegal and yet the practice continues unabated.

Research has shown that marine animals and fish all contain heavy metals and micro plastics, which we are directly responsible for.

We now know that our bodies also contain microplastics and heavy metals, because they are in the food we eat and the water we drink!!

We are slowly but surely destroying the human race, through our greed and lack of concern for the world around us.

A healthier ocean ecosystem would mean a healthier world population.

It would also be able to trap more carbon dioxide, helping protect the world from catastrophic climate change, according to scientists.

Decision makers need to take urgent action now. We don't have a choice!!

214

Our oceans are central to the health of our planet and all it's people, please respect their vital functions by protecting them from the worst excesses of human harm and profit seeking

215

Our oceans are crucial to the survival of all life on Earth, we must protect them!

216

Our oceans are darkening, they are being subjected to all manner of abuse from changing climate, bottom trawling, oil and gas extraction (with the threat of deep sea mining) and pollution on an unprecedented scale. we have to protect this resource for the sake of the planet and for future generations.

217

Our Oceans are essential for the planet's ecosystem and survival therefore they must be protected from further damage before they become extinct and life on this planet becomes extinct!

218

Our oceans are in crisis

Over fishing, plastic, global warming causing habitat loss

Need I go on

219

Our oceans are in crisis due to relentless oil and gas drilling, destructive fishing practices like bottom trawling, and 14 million tonnes of plastic getting dumped there each year.

220

Our oceans are in crisis due to relentless oil and gas drilling, destructive fishing practices like bottom trawling, and 14 million tonnes of plastic getting dumped there each year.

This needs to stop before our oceans are irrevocably damaged, and species are lost. By destroying ocean habitats, we contribute to destroying our planet.

Please, protect our oceans and put actions to do so in place immediately.

221

Our oceans are largely unexplored however we do know that bottom trawling,deep sea mining, over fishing and plastic pollution cause serious damage to this wonderful beautiful ecosystem. I believe it will have an increasing role in feeding our growing population if properly managed. It also absorbs a lot of carbon if kelp and seaweed beds are not torn up by indiscriminate mining or trawling. I beg you to preserve this marvellous resource so that my grand children and future generations can continue to marvel at the wild life around our shores and underneath the waves.

222

Our oceans are our future, and as the parent of 4 grown-up children, our children's and potential grandchildren's future too....We live close to the coast in rural Aberdeenshire and walk on the incredible coastal paths and beaches several times a week - it is truly wonderful for wellbeing. But what makes it magical is the biodiversity - the multitude of birds, the dolphins occasionally spotted, the smell of the seaweeds by the shore and the incredible changing colours of the sea. Sadly, we take part in beach clean-ups - the huge amount of litter and plastic is madness. And we cannot see the microplastics which threaten both our and all other animal species futures through the water we all drink. Practices like trawling the ocean floors and deep sea mining also threaten the biodiversity and destroy the habitats which balance ecosystems. Instead we should be enriching our oceans, helping the growth of seagrass and seaweeds around our shores in an effort to restore equilibrium and reduce climate change, doing everything we can to preserve the incredible wildlife, fighting for the rights of whales to avoid unnecessary outdated slaughter practices, and being mindful not to overfish the oceans. Or our world will be a bleaker and poorer place in the future, and limit all of our futures...

223

Our oceans are precious and wild - leave them alone

224

Our oceans are so precious. We are damaging them with overfishing and pollution, which must be prevented.

We must not allow deep sea mining and shipping must be better regulated to reduce pollution.

225

Our oceans are the homes of many living creatures that require full protection at all times. Nothing and nobody should deprive them of their homes. They have the right to live safely, just like us.

226

Our oceans are the lifeblood of our planet and they will be the only chance we have to save our home. We have to take action to protect our seas before it's too late for our world.

227

Our oceans belong to us all and to future generations. They also belong to the creatures who live in them. They must be looked after and protected. No deep sea mining and slow down shipping to help whales and the climate.

228

Our oceans have been plundered for decades, many fish stocks have collapsed, coral reefs are threatened and there has been a stark decline in many species of sea mammal. Humans have polluted vast swathes of the oceans causing damage which may never be repaired

229

230

Our oceans must be protected - for us and for the future generations!!

231

Our oceans need protecting now before it's too late.

We shouldn't bottom trawling which takes up anything on the sea bed., deep sea mining also over fishing needs to be addressed as well as plastic pollution

232

Our oceans need to recover from what we have done to it. Don't forget we came from the oceans  in the first place. Our blue planet is called that for a reason.  We wouldn't want it to be called the dead planet would we.  Take care of each other and our planet

233

Our ocean's play a critical role in climate change. Over fishing, deep sea mining,  plastic pollution etc must stop. SAVE OUR OCEAN'S

234

Our oceans, like almost everything else these days, are in crisis! However, the oceans control too many things to just let things go. They control the way the heat is distributed around the world due to their currents, they can destroy life if they turn too acid or alkali for that matter. These days, we also have plastic being dumped and entering the food chain! Enough is enough! This isn't to do with climate change, which some people don't believe anyway, this is about life on earth! We have to protect our oceans, before it's too late to correct our mistakes!

235

Our Ocean's hold a critical role in climate change and for this reason as well as protecting bio diversity please please please do the right thing NOW and protect our waters for the good of this wonderful planet.

236

Our oceans need more protection and keep our oceans clean of rubbish  fishing nets  plastic ect. God bless to all that are calling out for more essential  job for future generations.

237

Our planets oceans are incredibly important to me, I feel their living history, a beautiful underwater world, incredibly beautiful amazing creatures, the largest to the smallest. It is important that we work very hard in protecting as large a percentage as we possibly can. This moment that you have been given to ensure a future that includes healthy oceans is incredibly meaningful, I ask you to be wise in your decisions. Do not give in to short term political gains, which are deeply destructive like deep sea mining and instead take a long term inclusive world view, which insures healthy oceans, healthy planet and healthy generations to come

 Thanks.

238

Our stunning watery home depends on the health of our magnificent oceans which are now acidifying, expanding, plasticised, overheating and in danger of losing their historic circulatory system. Thanks to Greenpeace  for ending the cruel whaling which messed up the krill/whale excreta/phytoplankton system. Oxygen is still needed on Earth!

239

Our world is our home and it desperately needs our care. Healthy oceans are vital to the health of our planet. Please act to protect them, for all of our sakes.

240

Planet Earth should have been named Planet Water - 70% of Our Planet is Oceans. So we need to protect it for future generations , please.

241

Please act now to save our oceans for future generations

242

Please ban bottom trawling and dredging.

243

Please do not listen to polluters. They put profits before the survival of our planet!

244

Please do the right thing

245

Please do the right thing and protect our oceans, if we loose them we loose everything.

246

Please help protect our oceans. Once it's too late, we won't get a second chance. Please help leave this planet in a better place, and give our future a chance to survive.

247

Please help provide a future for the next generations.

Protecting our oceans is crucial because they provide essential life support functions, including regulating climate, generating oxygen, and supporting biodiversity. They also play a significant role in global economies and food security. Healthy oceans contribute to a stable planet and the well-being of numerous species, including us.

Here's a few points.

1. Life Support Functions:

Climate Regulation:

Oceans regulate the Earth's climate by absorbing heat and carbon dioxide, acting as a natural buffer against climate change.

Oxygen Production:

The ocean generates over half of the planet's oxygen, which is essential for human and animal survival.

Water Cycle:

The ocean holds over 97% of the world's water, driving the water cycle and influencing weather patterns.

Biodiversity:

Oceans are home to a vast array of marine life, contributing significantly to global biodiversity and ecosystem health.

2. Economic and Social Importance:

Food Security:

Oceans provide a major source of protein for billions of people worldwide, supporting fisheries and related industries.

Economic Benefits:

The ocean economy encompasses various sectors, including tourism, shipping, and resource extraction, contributing to economic growth and livelihoods.

Cultural and Recreational Value:

Oceans offer numerous recreational opportunities and hold cultural significance for many coastal communities.

3. Global Sustainability:

Protecting Marine Life:

Protecting oceans ensures the survival of countless marine species and the preservation of unique ecosystems.

Sustainable Development:

Healthy oceans are essential for achieving Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

Long-Term Survival:

The future of our planet and the well-being of future generations depend on the health of the oceans.

248

Please help that we have oceans and sea there for our children's future

249

Please please remember that ocean life has as much right to live on the planet as humans. Much work is being done on air pollution. So let's do everything in our power to keep our oceans clean. This is crucial for the survival of our world.

250

Please protect all marine life. Once a species has been destroyed there's no return nothing to show or teach future generations. The best schools are in natural habitats not in books or movies. Preserve marine life and protect their rights to existence.

251

Please protect our mother the ocean, from whom all life comes and on whom all life depends.

252

Please protect our oceans and all who call it home. They cannot defend themselves from potentially illegal-levels of overfishing, the threat of deep sea mining, or rampant plastic pollution. Please protect for our future and following generations.

253

Please protect our oceans from seabed trawling, mining and plastic pollution. Our oceans are so important for our global ecosystem.

254

Please protect our oceans in every way you can.

255

Please protect our oceans to protect our planet, or my grandchildren will have no hope of life on earth as we know it. Please - it is absolutely vital! No interests can be allowed to take precedence over life itself.

256

Please protect the oceans. If the oceans die, we die. You have this opportunity to make something positive happen. It can be your legacy your children can thank you for, or not.

257

Please save all the fish, dolphins whales and even the sea snakes

258

Please save humanity, or we are doomed..

259

Please save our oceans

260

Please save our oceans from drilling and plastic. We need to preserve for future generations to enjoy our oceans.

261

Please stop bottom trawling now. It is far too destructive. If we do not stop, we will lose so many creatures' habitat, there will be nothing left to recover.

262

PLEASE STOP damaging OUR Oceans! ... Pollution, plastics, over fishing, bottom trawling, mining and putting nuclear waste in rocks! ALL THIS HAS TO END...

263

Please take this opportunity to rise to the challenge of the damage wrought on our Oceans and the creatures within them.

There are always other distractions but this is urgent and vital to help give our oceans the chance to flourish again.

Please stand up for the creatures and environment so desperately in need of protection.

264

Please think of our children's and Grand-childrens future . Future generations. Why should they have to suffer from our pollutants and Greed...... let's be kind to our beautiful planet and all the creatures habitats we invade. It is time for change and it starts now !!!!!

Let's love our planet the  way nature intended . Naturally without disruption to our wildlife and constant drilling and taking from our oceans and pollutants.  Cruise ships, ships etc should never expel all their rubbish and crap into the sea. Totally disgusting 🤢 overfishing. Time for change is now!!!!!!!!!!!!

265

Please use your power to end the damage being done to our oceans. In protecting them you are protecting the lives of our children and grandchildren and great grandchildren. We can begin to repair the damage humans have caused and become a force for good in the world again. Please don't miss this chance to make a positive difference, the stakes are too high for sustaining life in this beautiful, interconnected ecosystem for future generations and to heal our own breaking hearts. In hope, thank you.

266

Please watch David Attenborough's film "Ocean"! Securing real protection for 30% of the world's oceans, if the protection means totally no take zones, monitored and enforced, has the potential for avoiding climate catastrophe. It couldn't be more important for our future on the planet. Please take every action you can to move towards this outcome! It's so urgent.

267

Please watch David Attenbourough's "The Ocean"

268

PLEASE WE WANT NO MORE OVERFISHING, AND NO MORE PLASTIC POLLUTION, NO OCEAN DUMPSTERS, NO SEWAGE OIL SPILLS, NO TEPCO POLLUTION CORRUPTIONS, AND NO OCEAN MINING, AND NO BOTTOM TRAWLING ANYWHERE! PLEASE WE ALL WANT HEALTHIER OCEANS UP TO 100 PERCENT ASAP!

269

Please, for the health of the ocean now, and for future generations, ban deep sea mining and bottom trawling. We must let the ocean recover from these and plastic pollution and the damage of overfishing. Future generations will not forgive us if we fail to protect the oceans.

270

Please, please, please stop bottom trawling which is utterly destroying ocean floor biodiversity - watch David Attenborough's film Ocean for proof!

271

PLUNDER is the aim of the exploitation of global natural environmental resources.

Please stop referring to people as rich or wealthy, that implies some kind of legitimacy.

They all need to be called Plunderes, because their wealth is in reality plunder. This plunder has been taken from the Plundered, 99.9% of the population, including your family and mine.

The Plunderes are responsible for inflation, no one else has the power to demand higher anything except them..

All the poverty and penury is the result of their plundering.

They attack anything that could even potentially reduce their plunder, such as taxes that will be spent on the Plundered to provide health care, social housing and any social payment given to alleviate the poverty caused by their plundering activities against the Plundered.

Competition between the Plunderes sees a one way flow of individuals from the status of Plunderer to Plundered.

The 99.9% of the total population being increased on a daily basis.

The Plunderes are in control of legislation through their lackies, the smooth the pathway for plunder to happen. They also created "legitimate" coercive forces as in police and military bodies to ensure they keep their plunder and prepare for ways for new fields to be plundered through conflict.

272

Proper care of our oceans and seas is vital to every living thing on the planet. Without this, we hasten the end of life on earth as we know it.

273

Protect our earth for future generation - stop all the destruction and pollution!

274

PROTECT OUR OCEANS AT ALL COSTS ITS THE LIFE BLOOD OF OUR PLANET AND MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANYTHING , LISTEN TO SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH . PROTECT IT , CONSERVE IT AND SAVE IT BEFORE ITS TO LATE ,

275

Protect our oceans for our children's, children.

276

Protect our oceans now not next year or in 5 years time

277

Protect the oceans for our future please

278

Protecting the ocean is important as it protects all creatures living in the sea.

279

Protecting the oceans is a vital part of the future of this beautiful planet, and part of the natural eco systems that must be protected for all our sakes, to ensure the future of life on earth.

280

Protecting the oceans may well be the last really effective way of controlling climate change and saving human life on this planet

281

Protection of Earth's oceans is essential for the health of the planet. Pollution, destructive practices like bottom trawling and underwater mining, over-fishing and other exploitative practices are seriously threatening its viability. If unchecked this will have disastrous consequences for the whole world.

282

Put the marine environment first, not profit!! Then we can all enjoy its magic in to the future

283

284

285

Safe the oceans! They are the rock and water bed of earth and our lives! Lets try harder!

286

Save our oceans. They are the life blood of our planet.

287

Save the Ecosystem

288

Save the oceans it is desperately in need

289

Save the oceans, save the planet!

290

Sealife, is greater than all humanity, and must be nurtured  and preserved. THE OCEANS should be regarded as sacred  and honered for the sake of all life on sea and land. MANKIND has responsibility to our planet.

291

Simply, our existence is not the only life form on this planet, it is part of and makes up a percentage of life on earth!  As leaders I ask you to do what can only be described as a last chance, pivotal point in ocean protection and do what is right to PROTECT all marine life and, in doing so, the knock on affect on human health with the damage to the oceans we continue to inflict.....please make the difference this time!

292

Since I was a little girl I have swum off the Kent coast come rain or shine & had inspiring swims while my father fished for mackeral for lunch.  Last year from Greatstone beach my grandson & I repeatedly swam through shoals of jellyfish (because of the warmer seas) which stung.  This year the water is of such poor quality that I doubt I will be tempted in.  This situation is appalling & must not be allowed to continue.  Decision makers must act decisively to save our oceans before its too late & there are no more fish!

293

Since learning about the crucial role that the ocean has for the health of our planet and seeing the destruction bottom trawling has on years of development of ecosystems, I've realised the importance of the protection of our ocean (at least 30% of it) for the future of humanity and our planet. With this 30% protection, there will still be hope for the future of our planet and future generations. In protected areas of the ocean, life thrives and benefits spill over to other areas of the ocean, benefitting fishermen and communities that rely on this to live. Protecting 30% of the ocean is all benefits for our future.

294

Sir David Attenborough, who has no particular political axe to grind has said publicly that our oceans are the most important factor in governing life on Earth. What we do with our oceans now affects not just us but all future generations. Literally the balance of life on Earth hangs in the balance. Already they are polluted almost beyond measure     and are critical. Our oceans and the creatures and organisms that inhabit it are in crisis due to relentless oil and gas drilling, destructive fishing practices like bottom trawling, overfishing and 14 million tonnes of plastic getting dumped there each year. Additionally raw sewage often pollutes it making it toxic for not only the creatures that have to live there but also those who try to enjoy it for leisure - swimmers, surfers, yachtsmen etc. What sort of legacy are we leaving our children and grandchildren? We will be judged by future generations by what we do or don't do concerning not just the oceans but the whole environment. What good will it do to be as rich as Croesus and have no earth to enjoy those riches on? PLEASE do something to protect our oceans.

295

Someone has to do something this cannot go on the way it is, surely you can see this, it's down to humans to put it right as we humans are destroying this beautiful ocean and its occupants living in it

296

Something needs to be done about plastic. Perhaps there could be a world sponsored specialist ship that goes round cleaning it up and an insistence that ships have to label their supplies so you know the dumpers of the rubbish when you find it. The fines should be exhorbitant (enough to bankrupt a company )if caught to act as an incentive for them to be clean. Companies like Cocacola and others who provide drinks in plastic bottles should also have to pay into the clean up.

297

298

Soon there´ll be more plastic in our oceans than fish and other ocean wildlife, at the end the micro plastic lands on our plates and in our bodies. So please act now, not next year or even later.

299

stop allowing comtamation of my water

300

Stop closing your eyes and ears to the crisis the planet is heading toward all because of hubris of the people who are supposed to look after the well-being of all life

301

Stop destroying our planet please

302

Stop polluting the seas with plastic

303

Stop the poisoning, littering, and plundering of the oceans. Oceans are the beginning and basis of all life!

304

Survival!!!!!

305

Terrible practices like bottom trawling are being carried out en masse across the ocean, which has a devastating impact on marine ecosystems

306

Test test

307

308

The destruction of nature must be stopped and there must be no more extinctions. Instead there must be recovery of all marine ecosystems.

309

The disastrous state of our oceans became clear to me when I visited Kalimantan quite a few years ago (I avoid flights now). Every day I was at an Eco lodge on the beach I snorkelled and collected a bin bag full of plastic including disposable nappies. The local population were completely disheartened by the amount of plastic which arrived with each tide. Something has to be done.

310

The Earth cannot recycle itself as before with plastics. Wing everywhere we have a chance to save the oceans if every country and superpower in the world worked together to remove and eradicate plastics as one example of saving the planet and fish and mammals too for one example to make a difference. Thank you Gray

311

The earth is an innterconnected eco system. The Oceans are all connected and give our precious blue planet life. Our mother earth is sacred. In the name of all that is part of this wonderous creation DO YOUR JOB AND PROTECT OUR OCEANS for the very survival of all beings which share this world now and for all future lives that could come if there was a sustainable world to come to

312

The earth, upon which we all protect is more vulnerable now than ever before.  Bottom fishing could destroy all ocean life permanently, without the oceans all life will perish.  Excessive human greed must be stopped if any life is to survive.

313

The excitement of a child going to the seaside. The game of who can see the sea first. The squeals of excitement when, on the horizon, the glittering crystals of light as the sun hits the sea. The anticipation of the adventures of being by the sea.

Looking for shells and pebbles with holes in them, because they were full of magic.

The joy of finding a rock pool. The amazement of watching the colourful tentacles of the colourful sea anmenonies swaying in the water. Lifting pebbles and rocks to see the little creatures rush around looking fir another safe space to hide.

Now those safe spaces are dissappearing, as well as the micro world of those little creatures.

Remember your happy adventures at the seaside.

314

The facts are simple. Our ocean is critical to the survival of our planet. But it is so much more than that. There is no place on earth more special. No place which is experienced, admired and adored by such a large proportion of people across the globe. Not protecting it would be nothing short of a catastrophe. Future generations will look back on this moment and resent us for not doing the right thing. Please don't let us down.

315

The feeling I had as a child, sitting above the crashing surf on the clifftop, uplifting me to a state far above myself that was otherwise impossible to experience, and swimming with spinner dolphins that healed me with their clicks, all this and much more is now being lost to greedy, destructive people who just don't care about this natural world or even their own human nature. It's not too late to stop them from overfishing, bottom trawling, plastic pollution and deep sea mining, before it kills us all.

316

The fishing industry has too much breadth.  The worst offenders are bottom trawling and long-line fishing and they suffer from plastic pollution.  These require government action - not just words.

317

The future of human kind depends on healthy oceans. You can help guarantee this for our children and grandchildren. Be the decision makers thy made the change

318

The future of my grandchildren-Holly, George and Anya and all the young and yet unborn is at stake. What sort of world are we making for them? We are the current, temporary, custodians of the planet. What will those children as adults think of the job we did?

319

The great news of Attenborough's film, 'Oceans,' is that there is a chance to reverse the damage we are increasingly aware of. Please do whatever you can!!

320

The health of our oceans are literally the cornerstone of a shared future on this planet! We have the capability as a species to do what's needed to save the global ecosystem, but we need leaders with courage and determination who are willing to implement protections and drive consistent action to enact the changes that are needed. Please step up and provide that leadership!

321

The health of our oceans is essential to all life on Earth We must protect them or face the consequences

322

The health of our Oceans is for the health of life on Earth. It should be treated as  an existential priority.

323

The health of the ocean is critical to all life on this planet. All destructive fishing, drilling and polluting practices must end. Failure to protect the ocean is literally suicide for the human race.

324

The health of the oceans is critical in supporting life on the Earth as a whole. We must protect the ocean environment for our own future wellbeing as well as that of all other living things

325

The health of the oceans is vital to all life on this planet. Please make this your number one priority over and above economic concerns.

326

The human race is dependent on the oceans for its survival.

The complex marine ecosystems are responsible for sequestering vast amounts of carbon and mitigating the effects of climate change. If this continues to be unbalanced by human activity (overfishing/ plastic pollution/ bottom trawling and other destructive practices it will destroy the balance of nature we depend upon.

327

The Message,

We must stop before it is too late to change. You must be blind to not see the harm that is created from the use of oil and gas, the extinction of species of animals and creatures the destruction and pollution of our oceans is all too obvious. Obviously, the solution to all of this cannot and has not happened overnight, but we are running out of time and then time will run out for us. It seems that we are scavenging on the products of the planets past which is creating so much destruction in the present and giving us little hope for the future. Change must occur now by the people living today for the people of the future or  BBC the future will be bleak. Pls?!

328

The ocean is a key part of our home, planet earth.  Let's take care of it, not trash and decimate it.

329

The ocean is a stunningly beautiful ecosystem as well as a key solution to climate change.

330

The ocean is central to all life on Earth.  Look after it!

331

The ocean is critical for the welfare of the planet, all creatures living in the sea, people who live on islands with very little space for rising sea levels, tourism & recreation of all humans. I have spent many years swimming, scuba diving and snorkelling on coral reefs and they are now dying due to climate change caused by mining & bottom trawling fishing methods both of which are destructive. Mining needs to be stopped in favour of renewable energies and fishing needs to be controlled to result in a planet that is healthy for now and for future generations.

332

The ocean is critical yet also incredibly precious and we still have so much to learn about it. Please do all you can to protect the oceans and all the life  in it.

333

The ocean is important for the health of the entire planet, the health of the food we get from it , he health of the birds who get food from it, it is an important part of our recreation and improved quality of life for everyone

334

The ocean is important to me. The future of children is important to me. The ocean has a critical role in climate change. Overfishing, deep sea mining, bottom trawling, plastic pollution are all at breaking point. Coastal communities globally rely on a healthy ocean. We all do. Now and in the future.

335

The ocean is in desperate need of repair from all the damage that has been caused in the name of profit. What kind of legacy are we prepared to leave our children and grandchildren. A dead polluted ocean!

336

The ocean is mega important to everyone man, women and child  on this planet.  The ocean is totally important to all wildlife on this planet.  The ocean is super important to all the generations of the future

337

The ocean is the lifeblood of the planet you stand on, its the water that runs through your very veins, up into your brain where all the pollutants collect over time. Protect it to protect your own brain health so you can live a long and enjoyable life.

338

The ocean is the most important part of our earth that needs preserving. It is so vital to our earth's ongoing role in climate change. Don't mess with it any more and let it recover, for our ongoing climate health.

339

The ocean is the planet's life support system, regulating climate, providing food for billions, and sustaining livelihoods. Yet we are pushing it to the brink through overfishing, pollution, and climate change. We need immediate, science-driven action: protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030, end harmful subsidies, and enforce sustainable fisheries. But declarations aren't enough, we need transparent accountability and equitable financing to ensure small island nations and coastal communities can lead and benefit. The ocean can't wait, and neither can we.

340

The ocean is what breathes life into our world. Without it we cannot exist. It is a beautiful wonder of nature.  More than we and ever understand or comprehend.  We must protect it.

341

The ocean needs protection from over fishing pollution & waste plastic

342

The ocean needs stronger protection worldwide from overfishing, bottom trawling, deep sea mining, removal of ghost gear, plastic & oil/chemical pollution and warming seas from climate change. We cannot wait. This needs urgent positive action NOW.

343

The ocean, our Earth, is being destroyed for personal profit. But in the end, who wants to be the richest person in the graveyard. Every bottom trawling company, ravaging the ocean ecology, has its boot on the throat of every child born today. Every plastic bag twisted around a turtles body will kill our children as certainly as it kills our ocean creatures. The irresponsible actions born of relentless greed will, quite literally, be the death of us all. You will hear similar sentiments over and over again. Is that the problem? Has it all just become bleeding heart white noise? Just say no. Just say stop. Legislate, give it teeth, bite back on offenders with proper personal accountability for people at the top. Imprison. Mean it! Fines means nothing to the obscenely rich.

344

345

The oceans are a vital part of earth's, and life on it, survival.  Ocean life provides oxygen, food, employment and beauty.  They should be protected from pollution and harmful fishing processes and should instead be honoured for their invaluable existence.

346

The oceans are absolutely key to the health and wellbeing of our planet. healthy ocean with high biodiversity of marine life is essential to address climate change and biodiversity loss. We also have a huge responsibility as custodians of the planet to ensure the health and wellbeing of the top marine predators including whales, dolphins and porpoises.

347

The oceans are an essential part of the natural environment and are held in trust by us so that future generations can benefit from them. There are many issues that need to be addressed and it is my earnest hope that delegates will come to an agreement, in particular, to exert real pressure on their member governments to pass water-tight laws (no pun intended!) to ban 'bottom-trawling' and the use of  non-degradable plastics.

348

The oceans are central to the creation and existence of life on this planet. Humans seem convinced that they have absolute right to strip the oceans  of its wildlife, natural mineral resources and dump our waste at will without thought.  We do not own this planet NOR anything on it, we are simply guests!

349

The oceans are crucial for human life and need to be valued and respected not treated like a dumping ground on the one hand contaminated and polluted and destroying the environment for ocean dwellers

Something needs to change.

350

The oceans are crucial for protecting life on our planet and are the true wonders of the world. Please protect them from the insults we have wreaked on them in the last century so they can recover and thrive

351

The oceans are currently experiencing the beginning of great stress due to climate change. It makes no sense to damage or over-exploit them, as it risks our future as well as that of all marine species.

352

The oceans are Earth real lungs. 70% of our planet is ocean. If we do not look after our ocean, we will not survive. In these crucial times everything possible has to be done to protect our oceans. We see the destruction and need to raise awareness. Wake up. We only have one big ocean with which we are all connected. Save our ocean.

353

The oceans are incredibly important for the future survival of the human race. Without them we will perish. To date,  they have absorbed the vast majority of our greenhouse gas emissions. They provide us with food. Yet we abuse the oceans with over-fishing, industrial and agricultural run offs creating dead zones and the threat of drilling the ocean bed for precious minerals. Oceans have a remarkable ability to recover if left alone. Please do everything you can to protect as much of them as you can,  thank you.

354

The oceans are our lifeblood. We must let them recover. Overexploitation needs to be stopped, now!

355

The oceans are rich in life and they help stabilize our climate. But we are destroying the oceans by mining, over fishing and polluting the rivers and the oceans

356

The Oceans are such a large part of this earth we share, failing to protect them adequately is an act of monumental self harm to all of us and to the future. To the children, the grandchildren, the generations that follow. How will you steward the precious waters and all they hold?

357

The oceans are the heartbeat of the only planet we have. Please protect our beating heart!

358

The oceans are too hot. Many cities are in danger of flooding as sea levels rise. The oceans provide much oxygen for us to breathe and their ecology is also a vital part of our world. Without drastic cuts in plastic production a pollution time bomb is ticking.

359

The oceans are under threat now as never before, both from plastic pollution and destructive fishing practices, as well as from fossil fuel prospecting operations. We all depend on healthy oceans, and I urge that strong and effective action is taken immediately to protect them.

360

The oceans form a critical life support system, not only for sea creatures but for all life on earth. They should not be industrialised in any way what so ever.

361

The ocean's health is vital to the health of all humanity.  A healthy ocean sucks considerably more carbon out of the atmosphere than just trees alone. To avoid future catastrophes like we've just seen in Switzerland we must act now; stop bottom trawling, and overfishing, protect reefs, prevent plastic from reaching the sea and campaign against deep sea oil drilling. My children's lives - and many others depend on you. Thank you. Sarah. Mum of two girls, age 9 & 5. London, England.

362

The oceans know, of no ownership, border or  master, and yet, the industries wish to exploit any fossil fuels and precious metals from the bottom,  at any cost, to us, the people,  and of that of creatures the live in the oceans and sea bed, assuming that the thought of profits and wealth will turn our eyes away from the permanent destruction caused by said industries,  no, we don't want it, we don't need it, we don't agree with industry idea's of easy money at our expense,  and profit making,  and then blaming the public for the mess they make, saying its what we, wanted,  well we don't,  leave the ocean bed alone,  concentrate on all renewable energy infrastructure.

363

The Oceans matter, the entire ecosystem matters, if we don't end our destructive ways it will all be destroyed and so will all life on this planet, including us.

364

The oceans need us and we definitely need them!

365

The oceans of Earth are such an enormous part of it's identity. They are the reason Earth is also called the Blue Planet. Without it the land would become a desert and everything on this beautiful planet would die. EVERYTHING. All remarkable diversity that makes us unique in the Universe. My children and grandchildren...yours too. It is inconceivable that the short term greed of the few should have the power to destroy our Earth that billions of life forms call home. Yet, hopefully, not all people who hold power wield it with the glare of 'fools gold' blinding them. Perhaps this time the people of the Governments of the World who could change the desperate course that we are currently following are the very ones to now use their power with integrity and an awareness that their own presence could turn the tide (literally) and save our world. History will note them whatever they do. Is it going to be with admiration and gratitude for restoring hope to our future...or is it going to be with despair, maybe even hate, as we watch our families unable to breathe clean air, eat healthy food, drink clean water...and gradually watch our race descend into chaos as the fight for survival becomes more desperate and cruel.

This conference literally has the future of our planet and every living thing on it in the hands of each of you attending it. Please, please put aside petty or greedy politics and rise to this enormous crossroads of whether not just humanity but ALL life on earth has a future.

Julie Wells

366

The Oceans of the world are not the property of the human race to plunder and destroy for profit and greed.

367

The Oceans will be essential for our grand-childrens future, being the main absorbent of CO2 on the globe, and so protecting them against climate catastrophe.

368

The poor state of our oceans is something to be ashamed of and action must be taken to restore and protect areas of the sea beds that have been devastated by bottom trawling and drilling for oil and gas.  We must do everything we possibly can to prevent plastics from entering the oceans and to remove the plastics that are polluting the oceans and harming the amazing species that call our oceans home. Now is the time to shut out all lobbyists for the fossil fuels and plastic industries who only want to protect their profits regardless of the devastation their industries cause. It's time to put people and the planet first and do what's necessary to clean up our oceans and put legally binding protections in place.

369

The preservation of a healthy ocean helped the AmaMpondo on the Wild Coast in alliance with Greenpeace Africa and Natural Justice win a historic victory over Shell, Impact Africa (oil and gas) and the South African Energy Minister in court in 2022, thereby ensuring oil and gas platforms are kept out of that coastline and inspiring the world to unite against fossil fuel corporations and corrupt governments in an effort to preserve global biodiversity and limit global warming for the preservation of all life on earth.

370

The relentless oil and gas drilling, fishing practices like bottom trawling and 14 million tonnes of plastic getting dumped each year is now joined by the threat of incredibly destructive deep-sea mining.

UNOC must identify and enshrine the Right of our Oceans to be protected from a looming global disaster.

371

The sea is a creation of God. It must be honoured. It is the natural order

372

The sea is an amazingly precious environment full of so much beauty. It's an immense and critical carbon store. But it's being harmed so much by people, and this is unnecessary and preventable. As an example, there are many alternatives to bottom trawling, which destroys entire ecosystems and yet 3/4 of the catch is typically discarded. That's an example of utter wastefulness but also absolute disregard for the preciousness of this environment and for the inheritance of our grandchildren; we should be basing our decision making on generations to come, not of purely our own financial profit.

373

The sea is the earth's lifeblood and impacts us all, whether we live by it or not. I want all the children of the world to grow up in a safe and healthy planet - not somewhere we have destroyed for them.

374

The seas are dying, the oceans are dying, our earth is dying. There are only so many things individuals can do to save our planet and literally save all species on our one precious earth. It is big corporations and governments that must act. As a mother and grandmother, I urge you to please, make the right choices, for a sustainable and equitable world.

375

The seas are lungs of the world, the flora of the oceans balances the atmosphere we rely on.  We are polluting this necessary element with plastics, chemicals and by disrupting the sea beds with mining and trawling.  We are destroying its composition and thereby threatening the creatures that live within it.  Please begin the serious protection that our oceans require to keep our planet alive and diverse.

376

The simple indisputable reality is that now more than ever before we all need to take action to protect and preserve the world's oceans. All necessary strategies to this end must be implemented at the earliest possible opportunity and I implore you to use your position to work constructively with others to achieve this urgently required outcome. The future is watching.

377

The state of our oceans is getting worse by the year, yet little serious work is being done to prevent  this annual accumulation of disaster.  This is the only water we have on the planet.  Yet it is being allowed to deteriorate from overfishing, bottom trawling, climate change, plastics, to name just a few pollutants.  You who do little to stop this dire progression are killing us all - and committing suicide.

378

379

The survival of us humans depends on the health of the oceans and the entire planet. We are all interdependent, like it or not.  We must take our care and stewardship of the oceans seriously - this is an existential issue.

380

The UK was one of the first countries to ratify the Global Ocean Treaty, but as yet has failed to ratify it and sign it into UK law.

It really is time for the UK to follow up fine words with meaningful action; our seas deserve nothing less!

381

The whole world is one evo system, our oceans must be protected against  pollution and damage. Please take this seriously

382

The world depends upon a healthy ocean. Please defend it against everything that is destroying it, including overfishing, deep sea mining, and pollution. You are our voice and we are depending upon you. Thank you.

383

The world's oceans are key to this planet's survival. I know that sounds melodramatic, but I can't believe how short sighted, selfish and greedy many powerful people are. This planet is for all of us, all life, all future generations. We do not have the right to trash it, that's common decency and common sense.

384

The worlds oceans are victims of climate change, pollution, unsustainable fisheries and now deep sea mining is the latest danger. It is so obvious that much greater protection of our seas is urgently needed.

385

There are people taking charge of countries now who think only of profit for themselves. They have no interest in preserving the natural world. Decisions are being made that will cause irreversible harm to our oceans and so many coastal communities who will be affected are poor already and do not have a seat at your table. You need to be the best sort of humans not the wealthiest.

Defend our oceans

386

There are so many horror stories about the appalling state of our oceans: seas being choked by single use plastics, and wildlife then ingesting the resultant microplastics, which inevitably are spread up and down the food chain, both theirs and ours. Then there's our precious coral reefs calcifying due to our oceans heating up exponentially, caused by climate change. These are just two of the massive issues affecting our seas, and they need to be taken a lot more seriously if they and indeed our world are to survive.

387

There are so many reasons why we need to protect our oceans. For future generations. The climate changes , over fishing. Pollution . The quality of life for marine life. What goes on below water effects what goes on above. Don't let it be out of sight out of mind.

388

There is no going back once the oceans are ruined. It is out duty now to secure the oceans for the future. The creatures that live within need us to think of their future!

389

There really isn't any reason to delay making positive choices for the betterment of our oceans; time is running out. Please put aside partisan decisions and take a global view of how much safer our planet will be if you protect 71% of the earth's surface. You are privileged to be in a position where, together, you can have a meaningful impact on the world's safety for generations to come. Thank you.

390

There simply are no words left that I can use that might persuade politicians, policy-makers, leaders,  influencers,  to listen and act upon the crises within our oceans. It's been screamed shouted banged on the floor, temper-tantrummed across venues big and small, whispered in quiet ears. No more! Just acknowledge that no amount of cajoling big business cash or anything else can buy our way out from under this time. These are BIG rocks gonna fall. Time to step out and step up to the plate. It's time to hit this one out of the park!

391

392

There will be no second chances. There is such a thing as a tipping point. F we get things right now, then we can start to to change things for the better, and give human beings, plants and animals a future

393

There's no excuse not to. We all know the consequences of inaction, why aren't we doing enough to protect our oceans? They're the life blood of our planet. People love to escape to untouched beautiful islands, and now there aren't any places not covered in rubbish and plastic, it's so sad, and avoidable!! Please, please put sanctions in place for businesses destroying our world.

394

There's not a person on Earth who isn't inspired by the wonder of the ocean, by its beauty and power. We all know this. We also know how difficult it is to protect anything, day in and day out. But we need to protect it. We've been treating it as if it doesn't matter. But it does. It matters because we need it and it matters because it's one of the things we want our children to be able to enjoy.

395

They are the life blood of the planet

396

Thirty years ago, I was a volunteer with Coral Cay Conservation. We surveyed two contrasting reefs; One off Belize, which was a pristine paradise. Then a few years later, one in Philippines, which showed evidence of dynamite overfishing. I will never forget the experience of being submerged in these ecosystems twice a day, for months. They are delicate and intricate and they need saving. To me it is a 'no brainer' that we must set up large reserves for the sake of these worlds, for our  future relationship with the ocean and for fishing communities now! I teach through drama in primary schools and libraries across Yorkshire. I use stories and picture books to show children how they can help reduce plastic pollution. Young children love sea creatures, even before they have seen them for themselves. We are connected to the sea and we must do something radical to protect them now. We know reserves work to restore healthy eco systems and healthy fishing stock too, and the results are quicker than we could imagine. Please do something brave. Thank you

397

This is a crucial time: our oceans are in crisis due to relentless oil and gas drilling, destructive fishing practices like bottom trawling, and 14 million tonnes of plastic getting dumped there each year.

Now is the time to act.

398

This is especially germane and vital now, especially when senior political and influential leaders are showing themselves to be totally ignorant of environmental and educational factors.

As both a environmental, educational and practical exponent in the Arts, Media and Sciences of over twenty years experience especially in international as well as national focii, I feel that I can commit myself to improving the situation.

399

This is of huge importance fir the future of the planet and all of us.  The Oceans must be protected from further damage and disaster. There us no 2nd chance.

Planet before profits !!

These huge companies are killing our world.

What will our children and grandchildren think of us?  That money was the mist important thing, above all else  ? Billionaires funning the world for sheer greed? Ecosystems ransacked for cheap palm oil, rainforest wiped out for polluting black oil , indigenous peoples driven from their homes and livelihoods, species bring wiped out every day.

Not in my name  !!

THIS MUST STOP.

And NOW.

400

This is our last chance to protect the ocean. Using huge sea bed trawlers destroys milenia of the delicate ecosystem. It is indiscriminate. We need to protect the ocean and even enhance is with sea grasses to help reduce the effects of climate change. We need to educate and increase the penalties for nations who destroy the ocean. We have a blue planet, we need to look after the blue for our future generations.

401

This is your chance as world leaders to save the planet and ensure a liveable environment for your children and grandchildren. There is proof that creating protected areas has a huge impact on the rest of the ocean restoring balance and even bringing back coral reefs to life. The oceans also absorb more carbon dioxide than all the trees on the planet However, we must act now. The future of the planet and humanity is in your hands.

402

This morning I listened to an interview on the radio. Tiago Pitta e Cunha, the Executive Director of Fundao Oceano Azul, summed up in a few words all the ecosystem services we get from the world's Oceans, and all the threats we're posing by accelerating climate change via continued ghg emissions, the complex issue of overfishing (with all its layers of negative social and economic impacts), the dangers of deep sea mining and bottom trawling, not to forget plastic pollution and sea level rise.

I got extremely anxious listening to all this, although I am well aware of our situation, living by the Atlantic coast of Portugal myself.

It's overdue that, as a society and as humans who depend on healthy Oceans for our species survival, we take meaningful steps for their protection! Time to roll up our sleeves, put all hands on deck, and leave old paradigms behind us, because they no longer serve us.

Put planet and people over profit, and appreciate all the incredible things we get from a healthy ocean ecosystem.

Please ensure that you'll do exactly that.

We got no more time to lose.

Thank you.

403

This once perfect world now requires moral guardianship for our children, grandchildren and future generations. Every aspect of nature is being raped for profit none more so than our oceans. You have a moral duty;.. Alayne Bowditch.

404

This should be simple - our oceans are vast, beautiful, diverse, to a large degree unknown but so very vital to the rest of the planet.  We protect them we protect ourselves and we protect something incredibly precious.  Please do all that you can - you have power so use it for the good of our oceans.  Put good sense before bad profits.

405

To give children a world to grow up in

406

To help protect our planet & marine life.

407

To protect delicate ecosystems and the animal species that rely on them

408

To stop the continued exhaustion of our natural resources in pursuit of non-sustainable 'growth' in wealth.

409

To the decision-makers at the UNOC;                        As a 75year old with two grandchildren I am getting more and more worried about the state of the world they and their whole generation are going to inherit. 40 years ago I was campaigning and marching to save the whales - successfully as it turned out. But hundreds if not thousands of other species in our oceans are threatened by extinction now - by overfishing and by polluting the seas with oil and other chemicals and with plastics. If we, the human species, don't put a stop to that now it will soon be too late.                                                                          The coming UN conference is a unique opportunity to effectively tackle these problems and protect the habitat where life started: our oceans. The United Nations must not give in to profit interests of big business, be it in drilling for oil or deep sea mining for other minerals, be it national fishing industries or nations using the sea as waste bins instead of  recycling their plastic waste.                                            I expect and demand the UNOC to ban bottom trawling, the most destructive form of fishing ever applied. I also demand to reduce fishing quotas globally in order to save fish and other sea creatures from extinction. This will also save the fishing industry in the long run and protect an important source of food for the ever growing human populations. The establishment of more and larger protected no-fishing reservations will play an essential role in allowing dwindling fish-stocks to regenerate and save threatened species from becoming extinct.                  I am wishing you and all delegates at the conference success in achieving these targets.                              yours very sincerely, Klaus Graichen

410

411

To urgently protect our oceans from exploitation.

412

UNOC (United Nations Ocean Conference) delegates must get serious about protecting oceans because:

1. **Biodiversity**: Oceans are critical habitats for a vast array of species. Protecting them ensures the preservation of biodiversity.

2. **Climate Regulation**: Oceans play a crucial role in regulating the global c

413

Unpolluted oceans, which provide a home to so much marine life, are critical to our survival as a species. It is crucial that we cut down global warming gases, in order to prevent the oceans warming and the climate crisis spiralling out of control. We do not want to see oceans devoid of marine life, with algae blooms and deep see currents affected, by warming. Plastic pollution is an abomination and use of plastic needs to be drastically reduced. It is important to me that the planet is protected , as it is the only home my grandchildren will have and all creatures have a right to a home.

414

Vote as if you are trying to save the future of the human race! The ocean is the life blood of our planet, don't turn your back on your grandchildren's futures!  Millions of people are relying on you.

415

Watch David Attenborough film Ocean - protecting our oceans is already a proven way of enriching fish stocks and enabling marine life to thrive. Please be the heroes of future generations and safeguard 30% of our oceans as marine sanctuaries. This will also assist in addressing climate change and the overall heath of the planet. Additionally, a ban on bottom trawling is essential! The inequity of local fishermen being unable to provide for their communities due to the tremendous harm of this and other aggressive fishing industries needs to be urgently addressed. Thank you for defending marine flora and fauna so they can thrive and be harvested sustainably.

416

Water is life. Our oceans are our home. The world is beautifully and delicately balanced and we need to care for it as if we are part of it - not separate from it.

417

418

We are 70%+ water. The water on Earth is the same water as a million years ago. It runs through us. Why do we poison ourselves and other creatures?

419

We are a nature. Protecting our oceans is the same as protecting the lives of your children and grandchildren. Wishing you all the best in making these crucial decisions.

420

We are abusing our oceans. They are full of life and that is very valuable but our abuse threatens their survival. The world must behave so that they are conserved.

421

we are destroying our oceans and we need to help and protect them

422

We are doomed without them

423

we are on the brink climate disaster, I don't want to be one of the ones who sat and watched us throw away all the rich diverse life we have on our planet, it is up to us, and only us to ACT NOW. In theme of humanity and for all the non human life too, you must act with a conscience and make ethical decisions, thank you Jenny Pope

424

We are our oceans. Respect them, Nature and us.

425

We are poisoning our Oceans, destroying its life-giving properties, atmospheric and food-wise, and so destroying our world and ALL life on it. What are we passing on to our grandchildren?

426

we are running out of time to cure all the ills we have inflicted on our mother Earth. Everything that makes up our fabulous home is being destroyed at a fast pace not least the oceans.I know you already know this so please, please do all you can to help turn around all this what is without doubt the fatal destruction of all our futures. Mother Earth is just too beautiful to be treat like this. Hope you can help Peter

427

We are so dependent upon our waters, without protection and conservation this planet will die, it is survival of the planet not just the oceans.

428

We are the Ocean. The Ocean is us!

429

We as a race are destroying our beautiful planet, our so called leaders have power to bring us back from the brink of disaster.

Our seas and oceans are dying due to the fact that we have dumped billions of tons of waist into them.

I have a new grandson, if I think of it I am ashamed of what we as a race have done to this planet that we call home. Max won't be able to see what I saw and took for granted as a child due to our stupidity and in most cases greed. Apart from in books or online in a section called "History! "

Please start the process of change, before it is too late.

430

We as in the world have been killing off plants, and animals on land for years through pollution, encroaching on wildlife sites, now through over fishing, pollution, and global warming, the creatures of the worlds oceans are suffering. When will man stop this rampage?, when it is too late  I for  one do not wish to live in a baron world DEVOID of  animal/wildlife all except man.

431

We call ourselves, humanity. A single word and yet we are a shattered species, broken and torn apart, at odds with one another and, our own environment.

We are living in a slow burning crisis, we all see it yet continue on as before.

I believe in humanity. I believe in our ability to accomplish great things.

So we look to the ocean during this special week - where life began and flourished against all odds. And where, now, we have our final hope. The thin blue line we have taken for granted for decades is now in crisis.

The ocean took my battered soul and healed me with divine therapy. The ocean showed me life, strength and so many wonderful personalities.

I dedicated my life to ocean education for our global youth - to teach them how to be better custodians of planet earth. However, my belief, determination and opinion - my actions - are not enough without the strength and might of the collective - humanity.

The ocean, my one true love, needs us to stand united as one humanity against the greatest terror in human history - ourselves.

We can fall divided or survive and flourish together.

With my deepest respect,

Zakia

432

We came from the ocean but others remain. It's our duty to protect them, they have more right to be here than us.

433

We cannot afford more delay.

434

We can't keep plundering and polluting the sea for ever; its resilience is not infinite; it is a kind of living being, and when we have killed it, we may not be able to restore its life, and with it, our own. For now, where we relent, it is still able to recover. We must therefore control fishing, end the most damaging forms of fishing (bottom trawling), avoid bottom trawling for minerals, which will be still more destructive, and stop filling it with plastic and sewage. It is a barometer of life on earth, and we must judge the success of our lives by its condition.

435

We do not have another planet, we do not have another chance! Why is this not number one priority!!!???

436

We do not own this planet.  We are simply caretakers for our descendants,  as they,  in due course will become for their own!

Our actions now will set a precedent for those actions that follow.  We MUST get it right. Starting now, clean up the oceans .... whatever the financial cost!

437

We had a beautiful world with clean oceans, in which as a child I would splash around in Summer. I so want this for my grand children and great grandchildren. PLEASE look after our World and our oceans. There is no world 2. PLEASE stop all the profit at all costs', before it is too late.  It is killing us, and the beautiful wildlife we share this world with. THE COST IS FAR, FAR TOO MUCH.

438

439

We have known about the problems with our way of life since the early 70's and it is happening now so much faster than expected. I am doing everything I can do on a personal level to leave a liveable world for all our grandchildren and now we need some definite action from you. It is clear now that protecting the ocean is a way of also protecting the world for years to come. I ask that you do the right thing so my grandkids and yours can have a safe future.

440

We have the opportunity to work together to protect our oceans outside of national interests as we see on land. Our own health and resilience depends on the oceans and we must do everything we can to step up to the challenge and put in place the appropriate protections. Generations now, and in the future depend on us doing this. There is no second chance now to get it right. Please act now. Thanks from me, a concerned daughter and mother of a 3 year old.

441

We in the developed world have done our best to destroy the natural environment we need for out continued survival as a species, to say nothing of the other species we have driven to extinction.  The oceans are as important to our survival and the health and happiness of my grandchildren and their children.  We have to know when to say 'no', it would seem we have not learned it for terrestrial nature and we will continue to suffer the consequences.  Please, please do not do the same with the world's oceans, opening them up to the highest bidder, for the gain of a small minority, let us save something for future generations.

442

We know more about the moon than we do about the oceans; the continued destruction of ocean life through over-fishing and seabed trawling are just two of the known activities that risk accelerating the rate of destruction but we have yet to understand how much we depend on the oceans. This cannot go on.

443

We must get serious because our oceans drive our weather, they feed us, and they know no political boundaries. One polluted ocean is a global disaster, every country on the planet needs to do everything possible to clean up our oceans and promote global wildlife webs.

444

We must protect our oceans as we all need and rely on a healthy blue planet. I grew up in a small fishing village where the fishing is still sustainable and the sea offers a living as well as recreation, relaxation and recharging. I am now disabled with chronic illnesses and mobility difficulties, and swimming in the sea is really the only movement I can safely do and floating in the cool sea gives me magical moments of pain free peace. We need to do all we can to stop sewage and plastic pollution, overfishing, bottom trawling and deep sea mining. It just makes sense, for all of us and for our planet's future.

445

We must protect our oceans for future generations and to save our planet. We only have one world once we have ruined that there

446

We must protect our oceans, because they play a critical role in climate change. Right now they absorbing on our behalf all this GHGs that we are emitting. But for how long? I am also reading a lot of articles on the biodiversity loss in the oceans, whether due to pollution or overfishing. Please protect the future of my kids!

447

We need healthy oceans for our survival.

448

We need our oceans and all the things that live in them to survive. I've been to many countries and snorkelled them. The amount of wildlife is amazing but unfortunately I've had to pick out lots of litter and fish nets so it wasn't just a pleasure trip. They shouldn't have to put up with that. None of us should. Now it's time for you to do your bit too.

449

We need our oceans kept safe, they help our world survive, not greed from over fishing and mining.  What will the greedy grasping companies do when the sea and land are all dead and polluted?

450

We need the oceans and all the creatures that live in it.  Killing whales, dolphins etc must stop to keep our oceans healthy, if we don't protect our oceans, life on earth will change for the worse and it probably won't be able to recover from it.  Coastal communities need the oceans for their very survival.  You cannot afford to do nothing.

451

452

We need to protect our ecosystems in the ocean and the critical role that this plays in the fight for climate change. Please consider that caring fit our oceans by banning plastic dumping and bottom trawling will help our children and grandchildren to have a better future. We have to be good stewards of our precious earth and the seas are paramount.

Think too of coastal areas who rely on a healthy ocean for their livelihood and lives and that we need to do all we can to stop erosion and dumping of sewage etc so people can enjoy the coastal areas.

453

We need to protect our oceans and the incredible creatures that live in them. Our future depends on on it.

454

We need to protect our oceans for future generations so children and grandchildren can see the beauty of the sea life and coral reefs. some parts are yet undiscovered.

455

We need to protect the oceans because we have no right as a species to destroy the habitat of other species just so we can make more money. If we allow zero take it is proven oceans can reverse in around 5 years. Why are are we so stupid as a species to not see that our actions are just killing us off for a bit of wealth for the few. Please take this opportunity to enable some real control to avoid over exploitation.  I could go on but enough for now. Nigel concerned for our future.

456

WE NEED TO STOP RAPING THE OCEANS AND INLAND SEAS, I LIVE IN THE BALEARES..THE SEAS ARE EMPTY !!

457

We only have one planet and already it's in a biblical threat from pollution, ecosystem damage and destruction. We don't know enough about the oceans, let alone deep oceans, we must protect these or suffer unknown, unavoidable (through insufficient protections) damage res ipsa louitur.

458

We pray for ocean life

459

We recently watched the David Attenborough film Ocean. I am already horrified at the amount of plastic pollution in general but to see the affect  on our oceans is upsetting . I

was  also appalled to se the effects of bottom trawling and over fishing. It was clearly spelled out how the health of the whole planet depends on healthy oceans. The hopeful side of the film was when it showed how quickly ocean environments recover when left alone. I have two 11year old grandchildren and I fear for what sort of a world they will grow up to. Please consider taking immediate action to stop this destruction and allow nature to recover. By doing this it should also help people who depend on local fishing  for a lot of their food. The greed of some countries is putting them at risk. Please  take a lead in letting the oceans recover and encouraging the Western world to live more simply and in tune with nature.

460

We sailed around the world 40 years ago and again 20 years ago. The decline of Dolphins and Fish was immense. Why do we have to take everything as it would be the last day of the planet? Do our kids and grand-kids have no rights? Kind Regards: Urs & Theresa

461

We seriously have to protect our oceans and everything living in it. Not just for us but for our children we will be leaving behind once we pass away!

462

463

We will make UNOC and others accountable when our oceans and the contents are lost

464

We wouldn't dream of taking a giant-sized rake to trawl across our land masses to pick up creatures to put in the food chain, so why would we do the equivalent of this in our seas ? Bottom trawling is a monstrous and cruel crime.

465

We, need our oceans to keep our oxygen levels to breathe.         Industries  all over the world are polluting or plundering   them for wealth, destroying everything that is necessary for survival of our fragile environment.

466

What are you going to do about Trump and his plans to destroy the sea bed mining rare earth minerals etc?

467

What our species has done to our planet makes me ashamed to be human. At times I don't want to live a day longer, so hopeless does the task of getting the people who are supposed to represent me but don't, to wake from their slumber and see the mass extinction event unfolding before their eyes. An event about which you could do a great deal, but won't because you care more for money that lives not and think yourself important because you have more than others and the luxury of choice; for a short while longer. Your stupidity is astounding.

468

Why do I have to write to beg to protect the oceans? Why isn't it obvious that we must take care of the place where we live? The ocean is beautiful, and full of life, and when it is ravaged by plastic and oil spills and heated by carbon, when the glaciers melt and the sea levels rise, when the acidification kills the coral….the future of life on this earth is at stake. Why must I beg for you to care? Why must I sign petitions? The earth is all we have. Why destroy it?

469

Why on Earth would you need me to explain the bleeding obvious to you? Let's avoid extinction!

470

Without healthy oceans our world, the human world is lost. The oceans and seas are drivers of climate. the Gulf Stream keeps my home warm, and protected from extreme cold. Should the Gulf Stream falter Ireland and UK will experience profound change in climate, perhaps to the point of agricultural collapse. And for what? Qui Bono? Who benefits?

471

Without healthy oceans we can't have a healthy planet. We depend on oceans for our climate, our food and to recycle nutrients. We know that, if we protect a third of our oceans from destructive practices like fishing, mining, and dredging, the whole of our ocean benefits. Please take this unique opportunity to give a third of our ocean this protection, and make sure it is effective and enforced.

472

Without healthy oceans, the planet will die. I want my kids and grandkids to be able to enjoy what so many generations have benefited from.

473

Without our oceans in perfect health, our planet is finished!

A few years ago in midsummer, I was motoring my sailboat at about 7kts across the stretch of water between the Isle of Ilay and the Mull of Kintyre. It was around 8.30pm on a dull, windless evening. Whisps of fog hung close to the mirrored sea.

I was half way, when I heard a blow hole behind me. I slowed the boat to a crawl and scanned around, hoping to catch a glimpse of whatever it was that came up for air. In less than a minute, there was another, then another, then a string of them. Before I could take in what was happening, my boat was surrounded by feeding whales, breaking the surface, mouths wide open!

Sadly, I couldn't video this astonishing site, too dim for my early 2000s mobile phone. They were Minke-sized, but well over a dozen, so I'm not sure what species they were. It was an unforgettable experience, which has never been repeated.

These magnificent creatures rely on some of the smallest in the ocean. The very creatures that are most at risk from adverse changes forged by reckless human profiteering. From the desecration of our sea grass meadows to the complete destruction of the seabed, nowhere seems to be safe. Not even so-called "protected" areas.

Mega trawlers hoovering our oceans. Scraping the seabed clean of every living thing! The idiotic explosive prospecting for deep sea mining, let alone the horrendous consequences they're inevitably going to unleash on us if they ever get the go-ahead.

Let's not forget the plastic, continously dumped into the sea by the fishing industry! Nets, floats, lines containers... the list goes on! What are they thinking? Well they're not are they. That's a "take your dog out for a walk in the afternoon, and eat it in the evening" mindset.

Don't listen to the lobbyists. In fact ban them from being anywhere near! Do the right thing!

474

Without the ocean and its eco system of animals and reefs let alone its carbon capturing properties we will not survive our future.no oceans and the life in it then no more humans. they are what keep us living please protect it and all the life within it if not for them but for the survival of the human race.

475

You cannot breathe money. Thanks,

476

477

You must protect our oceans for the benefit of all living organisms on earth. Nothing can survive on this planet without clean unpolluted co2 so it is for the benefit of all mankind and animals alike

478

You need to talk about overfishing, plastic pollution, we so need a healthy ocean.

479

Your words & actions will determine either the rescue or the destruction of all life on Earth. Be wise. Please...