Pact seeks to protect marine life in high seas

A major agreement to protect marine diversity in the high seas was struck Sept. 19 when Morocco became the 60th nation to sign on, paving the way for the treaty to take effect next year.

- BY ANNIKA HAMMERSCHLAG

A TYPE OF Pacific green sea turtle swims in the Galapagos Islands in June 2024.

(ALIE SKOWRONSKI Associated Press)

The High Seas Treaty is the first legal framework aimed at protecting biodiversity in international waters, those that lie beyond the jurisdiction of any single country. International waters account for nearly two-thirds of the ocean and nearly half of Earth's surface and are vulnerable to threats including overfishing, climate change and deep-sea mining.

“The high seas are the world’s largest crime scene — they’re unmanaged, unenforced, and a regulatory legal structure is absolutely necessary,” said Johan Bergenas, senior vice president of oceans at the World Wildlife Fund.

Still, the pact’s strength is uncertain as some of the world’s biggest players—the U.S., China, Russia and Japan — have yet to ratify. The U.S. and China have signed, signaling intent to align with the treaty’s objectives without creating legal obligations, and Japan and Russia have been active in preparatory talks.

Ratification triggers a 120-day countdown for the treaty to take effect. But much more work remains to flesh out how it will be implemented, financed and enforced.

“You need bigger boats, more fuel, more training and a different regulatory system,” Bergenas said. “The treaty is foundational—now begins the hard work.”