All you need to know as ‘historic’ High Seas Treaty comes into force

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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Deutsche Welle or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The High Seas Treaty, marking a landmark agreement for ocean conservation, officially came into force
• Covering nearly half the planet’s surface, the Treaty establishes the first-ever legal framework for protecting biodiversity in international waters
• The agreement empowers nations to create marine protected areas (MPAs) on the High Seas, aiming to reduce harmful activities like illegal fishing and seabed mining

🔭 The context: The High Seas make up two-thirds of the ocean and are crucial for regulating climate and supporting global biodiversity
• Despite their importance, human activities, including illegal fishing and pollution, have placed these waters under severe threat
• The Treaty promotes international cooperation, aiming to safeguard marine life through protected zones and stricter regulations on industrial activities

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: This agreement is a step toward preserving vital marine ecosystems, which regulate carbon and water cycles, essential for mitigating climate change
• The High Seas play a crucial role in the global economy, storing carbon worth billions annually
• Effective protection could boost biodiversity, enhance global fisheries, and combat ocean acidification

⏭️ What’s next: While the Treaty marks progress, concerns persist over deep-sea mining and other activities that threaten marine life
• Advocacy groups are calling for a moratorium on seabed mining and stricter protections in national waters to ensure the success of global ocean governance

💬 One quote: “The High Seas Treaty raises the bar significantly, but on its own, won’t stop deep-sea mining from beginning in our ocean,” says Sofia Tsenikli of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition

📈 One stat: The economic value of carbon stored by the High Seas ranges from $74 billion to $222 billion annually

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