The High Seas Treaty: A New Era for Global Ocean Governance

In 2023, the United Nations took a monumental step toward protecting the health of our planet by adopting the High Seas Treaty. Covering nearly two-thirds of the world's oceans, this treaty marks a new era in global ocean governance. It aims to fill critical gaps in the regulation of international waters and offers a framework for marine conservation and sustainable use of ocean resources.

This article explores the key components of the High Seas Treaty, its potential impact on marine conservation, and what needs to happen to ensure its success.

1. What Is the High Seas Treaty?

The High Seas Treaty is a legally binding agreement that protects marine biodiversity in international waters. These waters, have become known as the high seas, make up nearly 66% of the ocean and fall outside national jurisdictions. Historically, the high seas have been underregulated, leaving them vulnerable to overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction.

The treaty introduces three pivotal mechanisms:

• Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): The treaty aims to protect at least 30% of international waters by 2030, aligning with global biodiversity goals.
• Marine Genetic Resources (MGRs): It ensures equitable sharing of benefits derived from marine genetic materials used in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and other industries.
• Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs): The treaty mandates EIAs for activities in international waters to assess their potential environmental consequences.

Sources:

• United Nations High Seas Treaty Overview
• Convention on Biological Diversity: Marine Goals

2. The Treaty’s Potential Impact on Marine Conservation

The High Seas Treaty could fundamentally reshape how the global community protects and uses ocean resources.

Key Impacts:

1. Establishing Marine Protected Areas: By creating a network of safeguarded ecosystems through MPAs, the treaty can help restore biodiversity and increase the resilience of marine species to climate change. Protected high seas could provide critical habitat for migratory species like whales, tuna, and sharks.
2. Ensuring Equitable Access to Resources: Marine genetic resources hold immense potential for innovation in medicine and biotechnology. The treaty seeks to ensure that developing nations benefit from these discoveries, promoting global equity.
3. Mitigating Climate Change: Healthy oceans play a vital role in absorbing carbon dioxide and regulating the Earth's climate. By protecting high-seas ecosystems, the treaty contributes to global climate stability.

Example of Success: The establishment of the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area in the Antarctic, which protects 1.55 million square kilometers of ocean, shows how MPAs can successfully balance conservation and sustainable use (CCAMLR Ross Sea Protected Area).

3. Challenges to Implementation

While the treaty is a significant achievement, its success will depend on effective implementation and enforcement.

Challenges Include:

• Funding Mechanisms: Developing nations require financial support and capacity-building to participate in treaty commitments. Global funding initiatives like the Global Environment Facility (GEF) will be crucial.
• Enforcement: Monitoring and enforcing regulations in international waters remains a logistical and technological challenge. Collaboration with organizations like the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will be essential.
• Global Collaboration: The treaty's success depends on international cooperation. It must balance the interests of countries with varying levels of dependence on high-seas resources.

Sources:

• International Maritime Organization: Monitoring Oceans
• Global Environment Facility

Moving Forward: Turning Ambition Into Action

To fully realize the potential of the High Seas Treaty, we must focus on three critical actions:

1. Building Capacity in Developing Nations: Provide funding, technology, and expertise to enable equitable participation in conservation and benefit-sharing.
2. Leveraging Technology: Utilize satellite monitoring and AI to enforce marine protections and detect illegal activities.
3. Global Funding Mechanisms: Establish dedicated funding streams which support conservation, monitoring, and governance initiatives.

As Peter Thomson, the United Nations Special Envoy for the Ocean, aptly stated: “The ocean’s health is critical to the health of the planet and the people who depend on it.”

The High Seas Treaty is a bold step toward preserving that health, but its success will require effort, innovation, and collaboration.

Sources:

1. United Nations High Seas Treaty Overview
2. Convention on Biological Diversity: Marine Goals
3. CCAMLR Ross Sea Protected Area
4. International Maritime Organization: Monitoring Oceans
5. Global Environment Facility