A global agreement to protect the world's ocean and reverse damage to marine life is set to become international law.
The High Seas Treaty, will now be able to take effect in early 2026 after Morocco, and then Sierra Leone, joined the list of nations, becoming the 60th and 61st to sign on and agree to be legally bound by it.
The new law, which will cover nearly two thirds of the ocean represents a huge step forwards in the fight against climate breakdown and will mean that marine protected areas can be created in international waters on the high seas.
Many marine species are in decline and some face extinction due to human threats including over fishing, and also from the growing issues related to climate change, but protecting international waters (the high seas) has always been problematic as no single nation controls these vast areas. But, in 2023, countries signed the High Seas Treaty and pledged create Marine Protected Areas in at least 30% of these waters by 2030. This could only take effect if 60 or more countries signed up. Now, from January, countries will come together to better protect the ocean and the wildlife that call it home, as well as the wider planet we all inhabit.
Speaking about this breakthrough, WDC’s head of science policy Anna Moscrop says: ‘New protections for marine biodiversity, including whales, dolphins and porpoises, from harmful activities, will be possible in international waters for the first time. Crucially. the treaty will require shared (multi-lateral) decision making, rather than individual countries acting alone, and will support other forms of collaboration among countries, which is critical for the recovery and conservation of highly mobile species like whales and dolphins which may travel huge distances.’
Posted On: 24/09/2025
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