Saving the High Seas: A New Global Ocean Treaty

The Earth’s oceans are vast, covering more than two-thirds of our planet. But a large part of these waters are called the High Seas — do not belong to any one country. These international waters are rich in marine life but face many dangers, including pollution, overfishing, and damage to ecosystems. To solve this problem, the world has created a new agreement called the High Seas Treaty, also known as the BBBNJ Agreement (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction).

This treaty aims to protect marine biodiversity in ocean areas that are not controlled by any nation. It is one of the most important steps ever taken to protect our oceans.

What Are the High Seas?

The High Seas refer to parts of the ocean that are beyond a country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the sea is divided into different zones:

Internal Waters: Close to the land, fully controlled by the country.
Territorial Sea: Up to 12 nautical miles from the coast; the country has full rights.
Contiguous Zone: Another 12 nautical miles; countries can control certain laws here.
EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone): Up to 200 nautical miles; countries can explore and use natural resources.
High Seas: Beyond 200 nautical miles (about 370 km); no country owns this area.

The High Seas make up about half of the planet’s surface, but only 1% of it is protected. This makes it a very vulnerable and unregulated area.

Why This Treaty Matters

The High Seas are home to millions of species of fish, whales, and other marine life. They are also important for climate regulation and food security. However, because no country is in charge of these waters, they are often misused. Big fishing companies, mining operations, and pollution from ships have put the High Seas in danger.

The High Seas Treaty was created to change this. Its main goals are:

To create protected areas in international waters.
To ensure that human activities like deep-sea mining are studied for environmental risks.
To make rules for using marine genetic resources (like deep-sea plants used for medicine).
To help developing countries with training and technology.

In short, this treaty will make sure that the High Seas are not exploited and that their biodiversity is preserved for future generations.

The Process: Signing vs. Ratification

For any international treaty to be followed by countries, two steps are needed:

Signing: This means a country agrees in principle with the treaty.
Ratification: This is the official approval, which often needs approval from the country's parliament or legal system. Only after ratification does the treaty become legally binding.

As of June 10, 2025, 49 countries have ratified the High Seas Treaty. At least 60 countries need to ratify it for the treaty to come into effect. Many others have signed it but are still working on internal laws before full approval.

India’s Position: Supportive but Careful

India signed the High Seas Treaty in September 2024, showing that it supports the idea of ocean protection. However, India has not ratified the treaty yet. The government has said that it first wants to update its national biodiversity laws. This shows India is being careful to make sure that its domestic policies match global commitments.

India’s concern is mainly about marine genetic resources and deep-sea mining. These are new areas of interest where clear rules are still being developed, both at home and abroad.

India’s Ocean Programs

India has been working actively to explore and protect ocean resources. Some of its major projects include:

1. Samudrayaan Mission

India plans to send humans deep into the ocean with a submersible called Matsya 6000 by 2026. This is a part of the country’s Deep Ocean Mission, which will explore minerals and study deep-sea life.

2. SAHAP Portal

India has launched a digital platform called SAHAP, which gives real-time ocean data. It is useful for researchers, fishermen, and policy-makers.

3. Blue Economy Initiatives

India is working on using the ocean for economic growth in a sustainable way. This includes responsible fishing, tourism, renewable energy, and marine biotechnology.

Because of these programs, India is emerging as an important ocean nation. So, being part of the High Seas Treaty fits well with India’s long-term goals.

Challenges the Treaty Faces

While the treaty is an excellent step forward, there are many challenges to be solved:

Enforcement: The High Seas are huge and hard to monitor. Setting rules is easy, but making sure they are followed is harder.
Equity: Rich countries have better technology to explore the ocean. Poorer countries worry that they may not benefit equally from ocean resources.
Funding: Setting up marine protected areas, conducting research, and helping developing countries will all need money and resources.
Fishing Rights: Some countries and communities depend on deep-sea fishing. The treaty must make sure that their livelihoods are not harmed unfairly.

To overcome these challenges, international cooperation and transparency will be very important.

The Bigger Picture: Global Ocean Governance

The High Seas Treaty is often compared to the Paris Agreement on climate change. Just like countries came together to tackle global warming, they are now uniting to protect oceans. The treaty also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14, “Life Below Water.”

For the treaty to succeed, countries must:

Ratify it quickly and implement the rules.
Share scientific data and technology.
Build global institutions to monitor ocean activities.
Support developing countries with knowledge and tools.

If done right, the treaty will help build a safer, more sustainable future for our oceans and the life they support.

Conclusion: A Hopeful Step for the Future

The High Seas Treaty is a much-needed action to protect the ocean areas that belong to everyone and yet are cared for by no one. It shows that the global community is finally serious about protecting marine biodiversity and making sure that ocean resources are used fairly and wisely.

India, with its strong scientific base and growing interest in the blue economy, has a big role to play. By preparing its domestic laws and policies, and then ratifying the treaty, India can lead the way for responsible ocean development.

The oceans are vital to life on Earth, not just for fish and whales, but also for people, climate, and food. The High Seas Treaty is not just about rules. It’s about sharing, protecting, and respecting one of our planet’s greatest gifts.

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