Prince William calls for urgent action to protect oceans at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco on June 8, 2025. Before the June 9 start of the UN Ocean Conference in France, the Prince emphasised the hitherto unseen problems of overfishing, plastic waste, and warming seas. Once regarded as a plentiful resource, he cautioned that the ocean is “diminishing before our eyes,” highlighting the pressing need for coordinated action to safeguard delicate marine ecosystems and the communities that rely on them.

A Dire Warning on Ocean Degradation

In his remarks, Prince William calls for urgent action to protect oceans and emphasised the grave dangers to ocean biodiversity and the catastrophic effects of human activity. He brought up an interview with well-known broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, whose most recent documentary, Ocean, debuted on June 8, World Oceans Day. Attenborough expressed his dismay at the harm done to the deep ocean floor, calling certain activities like bottom trawling “unspeakably awful.” He pointed out that such devastation, which is mostly concealed beneath the sea’s surface, would cause indignation if it happened on land. The High Seas Treaty, which intends to safeguard 30% of the world’s seas by 2030 but has not yet received the 60 ratifications required to go into force, is being advanced by the UN Ocean Conference. William emphasised that quick action is essential since the 2030 goal is still far off, and only 3% of the ocean is already protected.

Also Read: Fossil Fuels And Climate Change: The Connection And How We Can Break Free

The Earthshot Prize and a Vision for Recovery

Prince William, the creator of the Earthshot Prize, which was established in 2020 to address environmental issues within ten years, highlighted creative ideas that were already having an impact. Since 2021, projects under the Prize’s “Revive Our Oceans” category have helped repair more than 20,000 square kilometres of marine habitats. William met with Earthshot finalists in Monaco and presented initiatives to stop illegal fishing and restore coral reefs. Echoing the broadcaster’s belief that increasing public knowledge is essential to change, he also commended Attenborough’s documentary for its potent call to action. But even though the ocean faces tremendous danger, it can regenerate itself. But only if we work together and take action right away, William said to the forum, which was attended by world leaders like Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and French President Emmanuel Macron. He called on stakeholders to “think big” and move quickly to achieve the global biodiversity targets in his speech, which was given in part in French.

The Prince’s speech coincides with a crucial UN conference aimed at mobilising support for ocean conservation in the face of mounting worries about biodiversity loss and climate change. The larger issue is getting over opposition from sectors like fisheries, which support methods like bottom trawling, even though the Earthshot Prize offers promise through innovation. William’s appeal for shared responsibility strikes a chord as a reminder that the ocean’s health is essential to global ecosystems, supplying oxygen, controlling the temperature, and supporting billions of lives. The window for undoing the harm may close without prompt, coordinated action, and future generations will suffer the repercussions of inaction.

Also Read: UK’s Muddy Saltmarshes Key To Combating Climate Change, Report Reveals