After ten years of negotiations, nations have reached a historic agreement to protect 30% of the world’s oceans through marine protected areas established by the High Seas Treaty. The agreement aims to safeguard and recuperate marine nature in the high seas, where only 1.2% of the waters are currently protected.
The high-seas are international waters where any country has the right to fish, ship or do research as there is no ownership or governance to comply to. Until now…
Nearly 200 countries have come together to agree on a new treaty aimed at protecting marine life in international waters. The UN High Seas Treaty covers almost two-thirds of the ocean lying outside national boundaries, providing a legal framework for establishing vast protected areas while also putting more money into marine conservation.
Limits on fishing, shipping lanes, and exploration activities such as deep sea mining are proposed, with concerns raised over the potential for environmental damage.
This agreement marks a significant step forward for the health of the ocean, which has been a cause of concern for many years due to the negative impact of climate change, overfishing, and pollution.
The new treaty aims to unite countries in their efforts to improve the condition of the oceans, which in turn will benefit marine life and help reduce the negative impact on global ecosystems.
Disagreements over funding and fishing rights had delayed negotiations for several years.
Under the High Seas Treaty, developing nations are provided with the capacity, technology, and educational/research opportunities necessary to participate in deep sea science. This is an important step towards ensuring that all countries are able to contribute to the protection of our oceans.
Environmental groups have welcomed the treaty but are urging the nations involved to come up with a plan to implement it in a legally binding way that will ensure the oceans are protected for years to come. The Convention also requires states to work together to protect the oceans, cooperating in the management of high-seas fish and other marine resources.
Countries will need to officially adopt the agreement and create institutional bodies to put it into action.
The high seas cover two-thirds of all oceans and almost half the planet, making it crucial that we have a comprehensive, agreed-upon framework to protect them.
The High Seas Treaty is an important step forward. By working together, we can make a real difference in safeguarding marine life and preserving our oceans for generations to come.
Read more > What is the UN High Seas Treaty and why is it needed?
