S.C.R. No. 139 Summary

• Urges the United States Senate to ratify the High Seas Treaty, a United Nations agreement on conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, negotiated by over 190 nations including the United States on March 4, 2023.

• Affirms that ratification would give the federal government a seat at the table for international decisions on high seas fishing, deep-sea mining, and ocean protection that affect Hawaii's marine ecosystems.

• Emphasizes that over 60 percent of ocean surface areas lie beyond any nation's jurisdiction, and marine resources in the high seas have little legal protection despite the risk of irreversible harm to ocean biodiversity and ecosystems.

• Notes that 80 percent of carbon stored in the ocean is contained in the deep ocean below 1,000 meters, making deep-sea ecosystem protection essential to mitigating climate change impacts.

• Directs that certified copies be transmitted to Hawaii's congressional delegation, the Governor, the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, and each county mayor.