The UN’s high seas treaty is open for states to sign up to. It is an important development: signing the treaty starts the process for countries to ratify it, signalling their intention to comply with its provisions and to make it part of national legislation. At least 60 countries need to sign up for the treaty to come into force.
The high seas are areas of the ocean beyond national jurisdictions and, as such, have no legal protection. They cover nearly half the planet and house many unique ecosystems.
Conservationists are urging governments to act quickly. Fishing hours in the high seas rose about 8.5% between 2018 and 2022, according to estimates by
