Friday marked a pivotal milestone in the global effort to protect oceans, as the High Seas Treaty, officially known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, surpassed the required 60 ratifications to come into effect. With a total of 61 ratifications, this landmark treaty is slated to take effect on January 17, 2026.
The High Seas Treaty aims to introduce essential measures to safeguard the rich biodiversity of the deep ocean, incorporating legally binding obligations for nations to uphold high environmental standards across various ocean governance entities, including the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs).
Sian Owen, Executive Director of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC), expressed enthusiasm regarding this newfound achievement, stating, “The DSCC welcomes this historic achievement and congratulates all those who have fought tirelessly to deliver this groundbreaking victory. Now governments must turn ambition into urgent action to protect our ocean from top to bottom, including its fragile, life-supporting deep sea.”
However, the DSCC also cautioned that detrimental activities such as deep-sea mining and bottom trawling on seamounts jeopardize the treaty’s goals. Bronwen Golder, Global Seamounts Campaign Director at the DSCC, highlighted the destructive nature of commercial bottom trawling: “It turns seamounts, biodiversity hotspots and vital ocean lifelines, into rubble. States must carry the ambition of the Treaty through to RFMOs and fully protect seamounts from destructive fishing practices.”
Adding to the concern, Sofia Tsenikli, the DSCC’s Deep-Sea Mining Moratorium Campaign Director, warned that “the High Seas Treaty shows what’s possible for our shared ocean when countries work together, but that progress is at risk if deep-sea mining is allowed to begin. This dangerous industry is incompatible with the new Treaty, as it threatens the health of one of Earth’s most vital ecosystems.”
The DSCC is now calling on governments worldwide to act decisively, urging them to break down barriers between fragmented management bodies to ensure equitable, science-based ocean governance and stewardship. “The deep sea is the beating heart of our planet – now is the time to protect it,” they emphasized.
With the treaty poised to reshape global ocean governance, the coming years will be critical for establishing effective protections and ensuring the health of our oceans for future generations.
