The UK government needs to sign the Global Ocean Treaty into law as soon as possible was the message that voters in New Islington sent to their MP on Saturday 12 April.
Ten members of the Manchester Greenpeace Group had been out in the sunshine at New Islington Marina for two weekends running, telling people that the Global Ocean Treaty is a tool that could be used to make 30% of our oceans marine protected areas by 2030. However, although the treaty was negotiated in 2023, it will not become law until it has been ratified .
Lucy Powell, MP for Manchester Central, as the Leader of the House of Commons, decides which bills parliament debates. After speaking to Greenpeace, more than fifty of her constituents sent her messages asking that parliament be given the time to ratify the treaty.
As part of its campaign to get the government to ratify the treaty, some members of the Manchester Greenpeace Group helped to unfurl a giant banner at the Foreign Office on 3 April 2025. The banner was directed at Foreign Secretary David Lammy and read “Lammy Don’t Dally”.
Martin Porter, Coordinator of the Manchester Greenpeace Group, said “Manchester is a port and New Islington Marina links to the ocean via the Manchester Ship Canal, so the oceans have always been important to the city. The Global Ocean Treaty is the best chance we have of helping our seas survive the threats of climate change, overfishing, and deep sea mining, so it’s not surprising the people of Manchester want them protected. We hope Lucy Powell will listen and find time on the government’s busy agenda to get ocean protection done.”
