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Hi
Sviatoslav,
History
was made last month.
After
decades of deliberation, the High Seas Treaty
finally entered into force, marking the first time
the world has a legal framework to protect the
ocean beyond national borders.
Make
no mistake: this is a major turning point for
marine life and resources, made possible by a
worldwide movement that includes the over 200,000 of you (!) who
spoke up.
This
win took nearly 20 years of negotiations before
the action of recent years picked up pace. In
2023, the High Seas Treaty was finalized and
opened for countries' signatures, only ready to
enter into force once ratified by 60 nations — a
landmark achieved in September. Today, the treaty
boasts 80+ and is legally binding for all
signatories, with more still coming onboard.
So,
what are the high seas, and why is this
treaty a big deal?
The
high seas are the waters beyond any country’s
jurisdiction, covering roughly two-thirds of the
ocean and almost half the planet’s surface. They
play a vital role in global biodiversity and
carbon storage... Yet only around 1% is
protected! |