Morocco's ratification on Friday made it the 60th nation to endorse the High Seas Treaty, triggering the landmark agreement's entry into force next year after a 120-day countdown. Adopted in 2023 under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the treaty establishes the world's first legal framework to safeguard biodiversity in international waters—areas beyond any nation's jurisdiction that cover nearly two-thirds of the ocean and half of Earth's surface. These regions face escalating threats from overfishing, climate change, and emerging risks like deep-sea mining, which could disrupt fragile ecosystems.

The pact introduces mechanisms for creating marine protected areas in the high seas, alongside regulations for high-impact activities such as geoengineering and resource extraction. It promotes international collaboration through technology transfer, funding for conservation, and scientific research sharing. Critically, decisions will be made collectively at conferences of parties, rather than unilaterally. The treaty supports global goals like the "30x30" initiative, aiming to protect 30% of the planet's oceans and lands by 2030. The high seas play a vital role in climate regulation, absorbing heat and carbon dioxide while producing half of Earth's oxygen.

However, implementation poses significant hurdles, including the need for enhanced surveillance, larger vessels, specialized training, and robust regulatory systems. While the U.S. and China have signed—indicating intent without binding commitments—major powers like Russia and Japan have yet to ratify, raising concerns about enforcement gaps. The treaty relies on nations to police their flagged ships and companies, potentially weakening protections if key players opt out. A foundational meeting on implementation, financing, and oversight is slated within one year, with voting rights limited to ratifiers.

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Experts hail the progress but stress its limitations. "The high seas are the world's largest crime scene—unmanaged and unenforced," said Johan Bergenas of the World Wildlife Fund, underscoring the urgency for action. Guillermo Crespo of the IUCN warned that non-participation by big fishing nations could undermine protected zones, while Sylvia Earle, ocean exploration pioneer, called it a "way station" toward averting self-inflicted risks. For vulnerable small island states like Vanuatu, the treaty offers long-sought inclusion in global ocean governance, as Minister Ralph Regenvanu noted: "Everything that affects the ocean affects us."

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