The Irish government has confirmed plans to ratify the first dedicated global treaty on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity – otherwise known as the High Seas Treaty – in international waters.

It’s been a long time coming. The Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction – known as the BBNJ Agreement – was adopted by an intergovernmental conference at the UN in New York in June 2023.

At that time, Ireland was one of the first countries to sign the agreement in September that same year. It currently has 143 signatories and 57 ratifications. The Agreement will enter into force 120 days after the 60th ratification.

It’s anticipated that the critical threshold of 60 ratifications will be crossed next week. Last week, the British government moved to adopt the High Seas Treaty in Parliament – the very latest step the Agreement has taken along its long journey towards ratification by the UK.

“This historic Agreement reinforces the multilateral system and is a major victory for international ocean governance and the protection of the marine environment. Ireland is fully committed to working alongside our international partners to realise the Agreement’s full potential,” said Darragh O’Brien TD, Ireland’s Minister for Climate, Energy, and the Environment.

“Our oceans and marine environment, now more than ever, face growing threats from the impacts of pollution, climate change, and human activities. This landmark Agreement provides the global community with a strong framework to protect and restore marine biodiversity and achieve globally agreed commitments.”

The High Seas Treaty was developed to further implement the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The Agreement marks the culmination of a process which began in 2004 to develop a new treaty to address marine conservation in the High Seas and deep seabed in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

At present, only one percent of the High Seas are protected by Marine Protected Areas – a far cry from the globally agreed target to achieve 30% protection of land and seas by 2030.

Sharks, whales, sea turtles, and many other ocean species will benefit from stronger protections and the measures provided by the High Seas Treaty will support the recovery of marine ecosystems and help build a healthier, thriving ocean that benefits both nature and people.

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