As the Fiji hosted Ocean Conference gets underway in New York, the United Nations says it is expecting a surge in voluntary commitments to improve the health of the world's oceans.
600 commitments from countries, businesses and civil society groups have so far been received, that target issues ranging from protecting coral reefs, strengthening sustainable fisheries, reducing plastic pollution, and addressing the impact of climate change.
Fiji's president of the UN general assembly Peter Thompson says the conference will begin the process of reversing the cycle of oceanic decline by producing practical solutions.
The Conference will result in a Call for Action that will be formally adopted at its conclusion on Friday.
The Call for Action includes measures to protect coastal ecosystems such as mangroves as well as enhancing sustainable fisheries management including the restoration of fish stocks.
Countries will be called upon to prohibit subsidies which contribute to overfishing and illegal fishing.
Photo by PIDF