High Seas Treaty takes effect and begins international ocean protections

The High Seas Treaty, the first legally binding agreement to protect marine life in international waters, entered into force after it reached the required ratifications; 83 countries have ratified and a first Conference of Parties is expected within a year.

The High Seas Treaty, the first legally binding agreement to protect marine life in international waters, entered into force after nearly two decades of negotiations. It applies to ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction, which make up a large portion of the planet's seas. The treaty came into effect 120 days after 60 countries ratified it, and as of Friday 83 countries have ratified, including China and Japan. Key institutions such as the treaty secretariat and the scientific body are still being developed. Key facts: - The treaty entered into force 120 days after reaching the threshold of 60 ratifications, and 83 countries had ratified it by Friday, including major maritime powers such as China and Japan. - It creates the first framework to establish Marine Protected Areas on the high seas, where current protection covers only a small fraction of international waters. - Ratifying countries are required to cooperate on ocean science and technology and to follow new rules for activities that could harm marine life, including environmental impact assessments and notification for certain commercial-use research. - A first Conference of Parties is expected within a year to decide operational details; the earliest approvals of Marine Protected Areas would follow once the treaty's scientific body is established. Summary: The treaty establishes a new legal framework for governing and protecting the ocean areas beyond national control and sets obligations for cooperation on science and oversight of potentially harmful activities. The immediate next steps are forming the treaty's institutions and convening the first Conference of Parties within a year, with formal approvals of protected areas to come after the scientific review body is in place.