UN High Seas Treaty

• Recently, for the first time, United Nations members have agreed on a unified treaty to protect biodiversity in the high seas.
• The treaty is negotiated under the United Nations Convention on Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS) of 1982 which governs the rights of countries regarding marine resources.
  • High seas begin at border of countries’ EEZ, which extend up to 370km from coastlines.
  • They comprise more than 60% of world’s oceans and nearly half planet’s surface.
  • But until now only about 1% of these waters have been protected.
• Treaty of High Seas, also known as Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty, will create a new body to manage conservation of ocean life and establish Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in high seas.
• The treaty also establishes ground rules for conducting environmental impact assessments for commercial activities in the oceans.

Importance of High Seas:

• Ninety per cent of global warming occurs in the ocean, deeply affecting Marine life.
• Comprehensive protection of endangered species and habitats is not possible without High Seas.
• Several marine species — including dolphins, whales etc make long annual migrations, crossing national borders and the high seas.
• High seas are the crucial component in global efforts to bring 30% of the world’s land and sea under protection by the end of the decade, a target known as “30 by 30”.