Historic Treaty Promises To Protect Ocean Biodiversity

More than 190 countries have agreed on language for The High Seas Treaty to protect biodiversity on the high seas, the roughly two-thirds of the world's oceans that lie beyond national borders. The treaty, if adopted, will protect 30% of the world's oceans by 2030.

The historic agreement is the culmination of two decades of discussions by the United Nations about how to preserve marine life beyond national borders at a time when increasing threats from climate change, overfishing, and sea bed mining is at their more threatening.

The high seas are currently overseen by limited international and regional laws and regulations, focusing their oversight on shipping and deep-sea mining activities. Current laws have provisions aimed at protecting biodiversity. Still, none squarely take on biodiversity loss and preserving the ecology of the high seas, which millions of people rely on for food.

The treaty is waiting to be signed and ratified by member countries. Still, if adopted, it will allow countries to directly protect biodiversity areas in international waters and require environmental assessments of activities outside of protected areas. If signed, this historical treaty among world nations would take a significant leap in fulfilling the promise of protecting the world's oceans by 2030.