Wave of approval for high seas agreement

A global agreement designed to protect the world's oceans and reverse damage to marine life is set to become international law.

- 

The High Seas Treaty received its 60th ratification by Morocco late last month meaning that it will now take effect from January.

The deal, which has been 20 years in the making, will pave the way for international waters to be placed into marine protected areas.

Environmentalists heralded the milestone as a monumental achievement and evidence that countries can work together for environmental protection.

"Covering more than two-thirds of the ocean, the agreement sets binding rules to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity," United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.

Decades of overfishing, pollution from shipping and warming oceans from climate change have damaged life below the surface.