At a Glance
- The High Seas Treaty became legally binding on Saturday after 83 countries ratified it.
- It governs nearly half the planet’s surface-waters beyond national control.
- Only 1% of these international waters are currently protected.
- Why it matters: The treaty enables creation of Marine Protected Areas to help reach the 30% ocean-protection goal by 2030.
The world’s first legally binding agreement to protect marine life in international waters entered force Saturday, marking a historic milestone for ocean conservation after nearly two decades of negotiations.
What the Treaty Covers
The High Seas Treaty governs nearly half the planet’s surface-the vast ocean areas beyond any country’s jurisdiction. These waters face mounting threats from:
- Destructive fishing practices
- Shipping traffic
- Plastic pollution
- Overfishing
- Potential deep-sea mining
- Climate-change impacts
The ocean absorbs carbon dioxide and produces oxygen, making its health critical for addressing the climate crisis.
Ratification Status
The treaty entered force 120 days after reaching the required 60-country ratification threshold in September. As of Friday, 83 countries had ratified, including recent additions of major maritime powers China and Japan.
Immediate Obligations
From Saturday, ratifying countries must:
- Collaborate on ocean science and technology
- Help developing nations build capacity for ocean governance
- Require environmental-impact assessments for companies planning activities that could harm marine life
- Mandate notification and sharing of findings for research on commercially valuable ocean organisms
Countries must also promote the treaty’s conservation goals when participating in other international bodies regulating ocean activities, such as:
- Regional fisheries organizations
- International Maritime Organization
- International Seabed Authority
Marine Protected Areas
The treaty creates the first framework for establishing Marine Protected Areas on the high seas, which make up about two-thirds of the world’s ocean. Currently, only around 1% of these international waters are protected.
Countries can begin preparing proposals for Marine Protected Areas immediately, even as key institutions like the treaty’s secretariat and scientific body are still being developed. Potential sites include:
- Emperor Seamounts in the North Pacific
- Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic
- Salas y Gomez and Nazca Ridges off South America
Urgency to Act
Conservationists warn governments must act quickly to achieve the global goal of protecting 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030-a target scientists say is critical for ocean health. Because the high seas comprise such a vast portion of the oceans, their protection is essential to reaching that goal.
“The marine protected areas under the treaty will only be as strong as the governments make them,” said Megan Randles, global political lead for Greenpeace’s Ocean Campaign. “We can’t trust big fishing industry players to simply stop fishing in these critical ecosystems. We need governments to use the treaty to force their hands.”
Enforcement Questions
How protected areas will be monitored and enforced remains undecided. Countries are exploring options including:
- Satellite technology
- Coordinating patrols between multiple nations
- Using other UN agencies for oversight
“Those details will be worked out as the first protected areas take shape,” said Rebecca Hubbard, director of the High Seas Alliance.
Next Steps
Within a year, the treaty’s first Conference of Parties will meet to decide key operational details, from budgets to committee makeup. Countries have been addressing many questions at preparatory meetings, with a final session scheduled for late March.
The earliest any Marine Protected Areas could win approval would be at the second COP, since the scientific body that will review proposals has not yet been established.
U.S. Position
The United States has signed but not ratified the treaty, meaning it can participate as an observer but lacks voting rights. Under international law, signatory countries are expected to comply with treaty objectives even before ratification.
“The High Seas Treaty has such incredibly broad and strong political support from across all regions of the world,” Hubbard said. “Whilst it’s disappointing that the U.S. hasn’t yet ratified, it doesn’t undermine its momentum and the support that it has already.”
Global Significance
Advocates emphasize that broad support must now translate into rapid implementation.
“The treaty is a sign that in a divided world, protecting nature and protecting our global commons can still triumph over political rivalries,” Randles said. “The ocean connects us all.”
Coral reefs provide an estimated $2.7 trillion annually in food, medicine, and economic services, but warming oceans are harming these critical ecosystems.
Robert K. Lawson reported this story, and News Of Philadelphia published it.
