A major international agreement to protect life in the high seas crossed a historic threshold on Friday.
Morocco became the 60th nation to ratify the High Seas Treaty, pushing it across the finish line needed for it to take effect. The treaty will become legally binding next year and mark the first global framework designed to safeguard biodiversity in international waters.
The high seas cover nearly two-thirds of the ocean and almost half of Earth’s surface. These waters lie outside the control of any single nation, making them vulnerable to threats such as overfishing, climate change and deep-sea mining. For decades, conservationists warned that without rules, the ocean’s most remote ecosystems would continue to suffer unchecked damage.
“The high seas are the world’s largest crime scene,” said Johan Bergenas, senior vice president of oceans at the World Wildlife Fund.
“They’re unmanaged, unenforced, and a regulatory legal structure is absolutely necessary.”
The treaty’s arrival comes at a critical time. Scientists say the high seas help regulate Earth’s climate by absorbing heat and carbon dioxide. These waters also produce about half the oxygen we breathe. Protecting them is central to achieving the “30×30” target, an international pledge to safeguard 30 per cent of land and sea by 2030.
The agreement creates a legal path for countries to establish marine protected areas in international waters.
It sets rules for potentially destructive activities such as deep-sea mining and geoengineering. In addition, it promotes technology-sharing, provides funding mechanisms and encourages joint scientific research among nations. Decisions will be made multilaterally through conferences of parties rather than by single governments acting alone.
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Treaty does not create its own global enforcement body
However, uncertainty surrounds the treaty’s strength.
Some of the world’s biggest powers—China, the United States, Russia and Japan—have not yet ratified. The U.S. and China signed the treaty, signalling support without binding themselves legally. Russia and Japan have participated in talks but remain outside the group of ratifiers. Their absence raises concerns about enforcement.
“If major fishing nations like China, Russia and Japan don’t join, they could undermine the protected areas,” said Guillermo Crespo, a high seas expert with the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The treaty does not create its own global enforcement body. Instead, each country must regulate its own ships and companies. If a vessel flying the German flag breaks the rules, then Germany must step in. That structure makes broad participation crucial.
“If somebody hasn’t signed up, they’ll argue they’re not bound,” said Torsten Thiele, founder of the Global Ocean Trust.
Ratification by 60 nations triggered a 120-day countdown to the treaty taking effect. Within one year of that start, countries will hold their first major meeting. At that session, they will make decisions about how to implement, finance and oversee the framework. Only nations that ratified before that meeting will hold voting rights.
Much work lies ahead. Bergenas emphasized the costs of enforcement.
“You need bigger boats, more fuel, more training and a different regulatory system,” he said. “The treaty is foundational—now begins the hard work.”
Some experts also fear unintended consequences. Enric Sala, founder of National Geographic’s Pristine Seas project, warned that governments might now delay conservation within their own waters.
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Small island nations get own voice
Lisa Speer, director of the Natural Resources Defense Council’s international oceans program, stressed the need for urgency.
“Marine life doesn’t respect political boundaries,” Speer said.
“Fish migrate across the ocean. Same with turtles, with seabirds, and a whole host of other marine life. And so what happens in the high sea can really affect the health and resilience of the ocean within national jurisdiction, within our coastal waters.”
Ocean explorer Sylvia Earle echoed those warnings. She praised the ratification but urged leaders not to view it as an endpoint.
“If we continue to take from the ocean at the scale we presently are, and use the ocean as a dump site as we presently are, yes we’re putting the fish and the whales and the krill in Antarctica and the high seas at risk, but mostly, we are putting ourselves at risk,” said Earle.
For small island nations, the treaty offers an important new voice. These countries often depend heavily on the ocean for food and survival yet have little influence in global decision-making. Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu’s minister for climate change, notes that everything that happens to the ocean affects them.
The treaty represents both progress and a challenge. It provides a framework for collaboration and a legal structure for conservation. However, its impact depends on whether major powers ultimately commit. Without them, enforcement could remain patchy and protections limited.
Nevertheless, the agreement signals a turning point. For the first time, nations recognized their shared responsibility to protect vast waters beyond their borders. As the first conferences of parties approach, the world will soon learn whether political will can match the treaty’s ambition.
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Multiple industries could be affected
The High Seas Treaty could have major economic effects for countries and industries that rely on international waters. The treaty limits harmful activities, including unregulated fishing, deep-sea mining, and environmental degradation.
Fishing companies face immediate challenges. Marine protected areas could restrict access to traditional fishing grounds, increasing operational costs. However, healthier fish populations could improve long-term yields and stabilize markets. In addition, countries that enforce sustainable fishing may see stronger, more predictable fisheries over the next decades.
Deep-sea mining also faces tighter oversight.
The High Seas Treaty does not explicitly mention mining. However, it calls for countries to cooperate with bodies such as the Jamaica-based International Seabed Authority, which has not yet approved mining in international waters.
Consequently, companies may encounter higher compliance costs. Furthermore, profits from high seas mining are projected to be minimal, making long-term investment uncertain. Countries may earn limited tax revenue from these ventures, reducing immediate financial incentives.
Shipping companies must follow new environmental rules and reporting requirements. These measures could raise operational costs initially. Conversely, improved ocean health may lower risks from accidents and ecological damage, potentially saving money over time.
The treaty encourages technology-sharing and scientific collaboration. This could create economic opportunities in ocean monitoring, tracking systems, and sustainable maritime technologies. Additionally, protecting the high seas helps maintain healthy ecosystems that support coastal fisheries, tourism, and global climate stability.
However, the treaty’s impact depends on participation by major players. If key nations do not ratify, enforcement could remain patchy, weakening protections. Meanwhile, small island nations gain a stronger voice in decisions that affect their economies and food security.
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