The High Seas Treaty paves the way for ocean protection

Covering nearly two-thirds of the world's surface, the open seas play a vital role in regulating Earth's climate, maintaining biodiversity and ensuring food security. However, this limitless body of water faces many threats, such as overfishing, pollution and climate change.

In this blog post, we explore how the recently adopted High Seas Treaty is paving the way for ocean protection.

What is the Treaty on the High Seas?

The High Seas Treaty, also known as the Treaty on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, is a historic international agreement aimed at protecting the biodiversity and ecosystems of the high seas.

Adopted by 193 countries in 2022, the agreement establishes for the first time a comprehensive legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources on the high seas.

What protection does the Agreement provide?

The Treaty on the High Seas provides a number of measures to protect the ocean, including:

Establishment of marine protected areas: The treaty obliges countries to establish a network of marine protected areas to protect fragile ecosystems and species.

Fisheries Management Measures: The Treaty establishes rules and regulations for sustainable fishing in the high seas to prevent overfishing and depletion of fish stocks.

Reducing pollution: The treaty obliges countries to take measures to reduce ocean pollution from ships, land-based sources and the seabed.

Cooperation in Scientific Research: The Treaty promotes international cooperation in scientific research to better understand and protect the high seas.

What seas, oceans and states are covered by the Treaty?

The Treaty on the High Seas applies to all areas of the high seas that lie beyond national jurisdiction. This includes all the world's oceans, excluding territorial waters and countries' exclusive economic zones.

The agreement is a significant step forward in protecting the high seas, which face multiple threats.

The High Seas Treaty is a historic agreement that paves the way for ocean protection. By taking action in this agreement, we can preserve the biodiversity of the high seas, ensure food security and protect this vital ecosystem for future generations.