Marine Protected Areas
The High Seas Treaty
In January 2026 the UN Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (the BBNJ Agreement or the High Seas Treaty) came into force.
The aims of the treaty are conservation and fair participation in the use of ocean resources.
It contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) and the 30x30 goal of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to conserve and effectively manage 30 per cent of ocean areas by 2030. It provides the means to establish marine protected areas beyond national borders to safeguard species and ecosystems.
Ensuring compliance with MPAs in areas beyond national jurisdiction is difficult and the High Seas Treaty provides possible mechanisms.
The treaty also addresses climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
The most recent official coverage statistics for marine protected areas in areas beyond national boarders estimates that just 1.45% is currently (March 2026) covered by MPAs.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are areas of the ocean established to protect habitats, species and processes essential for healthy, functioning marine ecosystems from damage caused by human activities.
If you would like to find out more about this topic here are some links: