The world has taken a historic step forward in the protection of marine biota with the ratification of the High Seas Treaty, the first-ever international agreement aimed at safeguarding biodiversity in international waters. On September 19, 2025, Morocco became the 60th nation to sign the treaty, marking a significant milestone that will enable the agreement to come into effect next year. This treaty promises to reshape the way countries approach the management of the vast ocean areas that lie beyond national jurisdiction.
Understanding the High Seas and Their Importance
The high seas constitute nearly two-thirds of the planet’s oceans and cover almost half of the Earth’s surface. These areas are rich in marine life, from microscopic plankton to large whales, and play a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s climate. By absorbing heat and carbon dioxide and generating approximately half of the oxygen we breathe, high seas ecosystems are essential for life on Earth.
Yet, despite their ecological importance, these waters are highly vulnerable. Overfishing, climate change, and deep-sea mining pose serious threats to marine biodiversity. The protection of marine biota in these regions is therefore critical, not only for the species that inhabit them but also for human communities and global environmental stability.
The High Seas Treaty: A First-of-Its-Kind Framework
The High Seas Treaty is the first legal framework dedicated exclusively to the protection of marine biota in international waters. It establishes clear rules for the creation of marine protected areas, sets guidelines to limit destructive practices such as deep-sea mining and geoengineering, and provides a foundation for international collaboration in science and conservation.
Johan Bergenas, Senior Vice President of Oceans at the World Wildlife Fund, highlighted the necessity of the treaty, stating, “The high seas are the world’s largest crime scene — they’re unmanaged, unenforced, and a regulatory legal structure is absolutely necessary.” This treaty, therefore, serves as a foundational step toward ensuring sustainable governance of the oceans.
How the Treaty Works
The High Seas Treaty introduces a multilateral decision-making process, meaning that nations collectively decide on marine protections rather than acting individually. Conferences of parties will be held, where countries that have ratified the treaty can vote on critical matters, including implementation strategies, financing mechanisms, and monitoring practices. Within one year of the treaty coming into effect, the first meetings to finalize these processes are expected to take place.
A major goal of the treaty aligns with the international 30×30 target, which aims to protect 30% of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030. By legally enabling countries to designate marine protected areas, the treaty plays a pivotal role in achieving this ambitious conservation target. Additionally, it encourages the sharing of technology and scientific knowledge among countries, strengthening global efforts to conserve marine ecosystems.
Concerns Over Global Participation
Despite its promise, the treaty’s effectiveness could be limited if key nations fail to ratify it. While the United States and China have signed the treaty, they have not yet ratified it, signaling their intent to cooperate without creating binding legal obligations. Japan and Russia have participated in preparatory talks but remain outside formal ratification.
Experts warn that if major fishing nations like China, Russia, and Japan do not fully join, they could undermine the effectiveness of marine protected areas. Guillermo Crespo, a high seas expert with the International Union for Conservation of Nature, emphasized, “It will be interesting to see how the implementation of the treaty will work without those who have historically made the most use of high seas resources.”
Enforcement Challenges
The High Seas Treaty does not establish a global enforcement body. Instead, it relies on individual nations to ensure that vessels flying their flags comply with treaty regulations. For instance, if a ship registered in Germany violates the rules, Germany is responsible for taking action. Torsten Thiele, founder of the Global Ocean Trust, noted that universal ratification is essential, warning that countries that have not signed could argue they are not bound by the rules.
This enforcement model underscores the importance of broad international cooperation in achieving meaningful protection of marine biota. Without full participation, conservation efforts may be weakened, leaving high seas ecosystems exposed to exploitation.
The Global Impact of Protecting the High Seas
Failing to protect high seas ecosystems can have far-reaching consequences. Marine species do not respect political boundaries; fish, turtles, seabirds, and other organisms migrate across vast oceanic distances. Damage to these ecosystems can therefore affect national waters and coastal communities worldwide. Lisa Speer, Director of the Natural Resources Defense Council’s international oceans program, emphasized that protecting international waters is critical to maintaining the resilience and health of marine life everywhere.
Environmental pioneers like Sylvia Earle have welcomed the treaty but caution against treating ratification as the final step. “This is a way station — not the end point,” she explained. “If we continue to take from the ocean at the current scale and use it as a dump site, we are putting marine life and ourselves at risk.”
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Opportunities for Small Island Nations
For small island nations, the treaty represents a significant opportunity to participate in decisions that have long been beyond their reach. Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu’s Minister for Climate Change, stated, “Everything that affects the ocean affects us.” By giving smaller nations a voice in high seas governance, the treaty promotes more inclusive and equitable decision-making in global ocean conservation.
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Moving Forward: The Hard Work Ahead
While the ratification of the High Seas Treaty is a historic achievement, the real challenge lies ahead. Implementation will require additional resources, including larger monitoring fleets, training, fuel, and robust regulatory systems. Johan Bergenas emphasized that the treaty is foundational but that the “hard work” of enforcement, funding, and international cooperation has only just begun.
The global community now faces the task of translating the treaty’s legal framework into tangible action to ensure the protection of marine biota. By doing so, countries can safeguard the high seas for future generations, maintain the balance of marine ecosystems, and uphold the health of our planet.
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Conclusion
The High Seas Treaty marks a historic milestone in global environmental governance. As the first legal framework dedicated to protecting marine biodiversity in international waters, it sets the stage for significant progress in ocean conservation. While challenges remain, particularly in enforcement and universal ratification, the treaty offers hope for a more sustainable future. Through international cooperation, technology sharing, and careful management of marine resources, the protection of marine biota can move from aspiration to reality, ensuring the health of the oceans for generations to come.
