Public signings of a community-led declaration to make sure that Bermuda’s voice is heard in future ocean conservation decisions are to take place next week.

Noelle Young established the Sargasso Sea Advisory Council, an independent advocacy initiative, to help amplify the island’s community voice in protecting the Sargasso Sea.

The council is hosting Handprints for the High Seas at City Hall in an event complementing the official signing of the Hamilton II Declaration taking place at a ceremony at Government House on Monday.

Its Bermudian High Seas Legacy Declaration opens by saying: “The Sargasso Sea has shaped Bermuda’s past.

“Now the people of Bermuda must be allowed to help shape its future.”

The Hamilton II Declaration is a joint initiative by the governments of Bermuda and the United Kingdom to build global support for protecting the Sargasso Sea under the new United Nation’s Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement.

Ms Young’s offer for public signing of the council’s declaration will take place at City Hall on October 21 and October 22 from midday to 6pm, and October 23 from midday to 3pm.

On October 23 at 4pm, organisers will carry a 12ft-by-20ft fabric declaration through the streets of Hamilton, in a public procession from City Hall to the Government Administration Building, where it will be formally presented to the Government.

Read more here: https://www.royalgazette.com/environment/news/article/20261017/public-invited-to-sign-ocean-protection-declaration/