Members of the United Nations adopted the first-ever treaty to protect marine life in the high seas on Monday, with the U.N.’s chief hailing the historic agreement as giving the ocean “a fighting chance.”
The treaty, which was approved by consensus after more than a decade of negotiations, aims to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, covering about two-thirds of the world’s ocean.
It establishes a framework for establishing marine protected areas and conducting environmental impact assessments, as well as mechanisms for sharing benefits from marine genetic resources and enhancing scientific cooperation.
The treaty also recognizes the special needs and interests of developing countries, especially small island developing states, and promotes capacity-building and technology transfer.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the adoption of the treaty, calling it “a landmark achievement for ocean governance and a major step forward for global efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”
“The treaty will help protect marine life from harmful activities and support ocean resilience in the face of climate change,” he said in a statement. “It will also contribute to global food security, human health and well-being.”
The treaty will be open for signature on June 23, 2023, and will enter into force 12 months after the 30th ratification.
According to the U.N., more than 80% of the ocean is largely unregulated, leaving it vulnerable to overexploitation, pollution and degradation. The high seas are home to a rich diversity of life forms, many of which are still undiscovered, and play a vital role in regulating the global climate.
The treaty is expected to fill a major gap in the international legal framework for ocean governance and complement existing instruments, such as the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.
However, some environmental groups have criticized the treaty for being too weak and vague, and for failing to address key issues such as fishing subsidies, deep-sea mining and marine plastic pollution.
“The treaty is a missed opportunity to set clear and ambitious targets and timelines for ocean protection,” said Sandra Schoettner, a marine biologist at Greenpeace. “It leaves too much room for interpretation and loopholes, and does not reflect the urgency of the ocean crisis.”
