After two weeks of discussions in New York, the United Nations has for the first time adopted a uniform pact to safeguard biodiversity in the high seas, which make u

After two weeks of discussions in New York, the United Nations has for the first time adopted a uniform pact to safeguard biodiversity in the high seas, which make up roughly half of the planet's surface.

Before marine biodiversity was a well-established concept, in 1994, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea entered into force.

The high seas, which are areas outside of national boundary waters, have been the subject of discussions for more than 20 years, but past attempts to establish an agreement had consistently stagnated. Sat. night saw the signing of the united agreement treaty.

The atmosphere and the oceans are the only two primary global commons, according to Rebecca Helm, a marine biologist at Georgetown University. The oceans may receive less attention, but they are nonetheless extremely important to the planet's health and should be protected."

Nichola Clark, an oceans expert at the Pew Charitable Trusts who watched the talks in New York, said that now that the long-awaited treaty text has been finalized, "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to safeguard the seas – a significant gain for biodiversity."

The agreement will establish marine protected areas on the high seas and a new organization to oversee ocean life conservation. According to Clark, doing so is essential to fulfilling the recent commitment made at the U.N. Biodiversity Conference to conserve 30% of the world's land and seas.

The treaty also specifies guidelines for performing environmental impact analyses for ocean-related business operations.

According to Jessica Battle, an oceans governance expert at the Worldwide Fund for Nature, "that means all activities planned for the high seas need to be looked at, albeit not all will go through a complete evaluation.

Many marine animals migrate widely every year, across oceans and national borders, including dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and numerous fish. Up to now, efforts to safeguard them—as well as human communities that depend on fishing or marine life-related tourism—have been impeded by a perplexing patchwork of regulations.

In order to address dangers and issues across species' ranges, this treaty will help tie together the several regional accords, according to Battle.

Gladys Martnez de Lemos, executive director of the nonprofit Inter-American Alliance for Environmental Defense, which focuses on environmental issues throughout Latin America, noted that protection also benefits coastal biodiversity and the economy.

Governments have strengthened the legal protection of two-thirds of the ocean, including marine biodiversity and coastal residents' livelihoods, she said.

How successfully the ambitious deal will be implemented is the current question

Commercial fishing, mining, and pollution from chemicals and plastics have all long exploited the high seas. The new pact is about "acknowledging that the ocean is not a boundless resource, and it takes global cooperation to manage the ocean responsibly," according to Malin Pinsky, a biologist at Rutgers University.

The Science and Educational Media Group of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute supports the Associated Press's health and science coverage. All content is the exclusive responsibility of the AP.

Nations reach an accord to protect marine life on high seas

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