More than 190 nations agree to protect the high seas

For the first time, more than 190 countries in the United Nations (UN) agreed to form a treaty to protect marine biodiversity in the high seas, which are outside national water boundaries.

Talks on a global treaty for marine biodiversity conservation and protection have taken place since 1994. Last Saturday was a landmark moment since most of the UN nations agreed to form one.

The agreement was reached after two weeks of talks in New York at the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

What will the UN High Seas Treaty do?
Most of the Earth’s oceans, especially the high seas have suffered exploitation by humans through commercial fishing, mining, and chemical and plastic pollution. The treaty will establish a body to conserve ocean life and create protected areas.

More than 60% of the Earth’s oceans are global commons and only 1.2% of it is protected now. The new treaty aims to increase this to 30% by 2030.