Morocco’s Recent Ratification Marks Milestone for High Seas Treaty
Morocco’s recent ratification has brought the total number of nations endorsing the High Seas Treaty to 60, paving the way for its activation early next year. The treaty is a pioneering legal framework designed to safeguard marine biodiversity in international waters, which constitute a significant portion of the Earth’s surface and are prone to threats such as overfishing, climate change, and deep-sea mining.
According to Johan Bergenas, Senior Vice President of Oceans at the World Wildlife Fund, the high seas are currently unregulated and require a robust legal structure for effective management. While countries like the U.S., China, Russia, and Japan are yet to ratify the treaty, the U.S. and China have signed it as a gesture of support, while Japan and Russia have been actively engaged in preliminary discussions.
Canada has also signed the treaty but is yet to complete the ratification process. Upon ratification, a 120-day countdown will commence before the treaty officially comes into force. However, there is still much work to be done in terms of implementation, financing, and enforcement mechanisms.
The treaty aims to establish marine protected areas in international waters, regulate potentially harmful activities like deep-sea mining, and encourage technology-sharing and scientific collaboration among nations. Key decisions under the treaty will be made collectively through conferences of parties, rather than by individual countries.
Experts caution that the treaty’s effectiveness may be compromised if major players like China, Russia, and Japan do not participate fully. The absence of a dedicated enforcement body means that individual countries are responsible for regulating their own vessels and companies.
The protection of marine ecosystems in the high seas is vital not only for global biodiversity but also for the health and resilience of coastal waters. Ocean conservationists emphasize that the treaty is a critical step forward but stress the ongoing need for sustained efforts to safeguard marine life and habitats.
In conclusion, the High Seas Treaty represents a significant milestone in international efforts to protect marine biodiversity and ensure sustainable management of the world’s oceans.
