The High Seas Treaty took effect on January 17, 2026, and established the first legally binding regulations regarding the protection of marine life in international waters, which constitute about two-thirds of the ocean. As of September, it has received more than 100 ratifications.
What Does the Treaty Provide?
High seas treaty introduces marine protected areas in the high seas, calls for environmental impact assessments of expected activities, and ensures the sharing of profit from marine genetic resources. Unfortunately, today only about 1 percent of the high seas is being protected.
What are the Flaws?
Generally speaking, the ocean is protected by approximately 8 percent, but the statistic of its effective protection reaches only 3.5 percent. The treaty has no implications for seabed mining.
What Are the Further Steps?
The first Conference of the Parties is planned for January 2027, during which the institution’s implementation will start, as well as the regulations for the first marine protected areas. The USA has not signed the treaty, so reaching the goal of 30 percent by 2030 requires more protective areas to be implemented by that date.
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