Sansad TV: Perspective- High Seas Treaty | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

• After more than ten years of negotiations, UN member states recently reached a landmark agreement to protect marine life in international waters outside the jurisdiction of any country. This agreement, known as the Biodiversity beyond national Jurisdiction (BBNJ) treaty, aims to fulfill the global objective of conserving 30% of the world's oceans by 2030, as agreed upon at the 2022 UN biodiversity conference.
• Despite covering over 60% of the world's oceans and nearly half of the Earth's surface, the high seas have received less attention compared to coastal waters and a few well-known species. Ocean ecosystems are vital for producing oxygen and mitigating global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide, but they face threats from climate change, pollution, and overfishing. The High Seas Treaty will require countries to assess the environmental impact of proposed activities in these areas. Furthermore, the treaty addresses the sharing of marine genetic resources, including biological material from plants and animals in the ocean.

All about the Treaty

• The BBNJ Treaty, also referred to as the Treaty of the High Seas, is an international agreement aimed at conserving and sustainably utilizing the biodiversity of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction.
• This treaty is currently being developed within the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which governs human activities at sea.
• The BBNJ Treaty seeks to establish a comprehensive approach to managing activities in the high seas, ensuring a better balance between the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. It covers areas beyond exclusive economic zones and national waters of countries.

Significance of it

• According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), these areas represent nearly half of the Earth's surface.
• These regions are inadequately regulated and remain poorly understood and unexplored in terms of their biodiversity, with only 1% of these areas currently protected.

Importance of the High Seas

• The high seas, encompassing the vast open ocean and deep seabed areas beyond any nation's jurisdiction, cover approximately half of the Earth's surface and 64% of the global ocean area.
• Despite their rich biodiversity, these areas remain the least protected on our planet.
• The high seas harbor a variety of unique and lesser-known species, including deep-dwelling fishes and invertebrates that live in perpetual darkness, with slow-motion lives.
• They also serve as crucial habitats for numerous migratory species such as whales, seabirds, sea turtles, tunas, and sharks, which traverse ocean basins in search of food and mates.
• Many marine species, including dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and various fish, undertake extensive annual migrations that cross national borders and traverse the high seas.
• Achieving comprehensive protection for endangered species and habitats is impossible without addressing the high seas.
• Approximately 90% of global warming occurs in the ocean, profoundly affecting marine life.
• The high seas play a critical role in global efforts to achieve the target of protecting 30% of the world's land and sea, known as "30 by 30."
• The treaty's implementation can have societal benefits, such as advancements in pharmaceuticals and sustainable food production, while also reversing biodiversity loss and promoting sustainable development.
• The high seas treaty has also become an important topic related to the North-South divide, highlighting disparities between wealthy and resource-rich nations that have historically enjoyed advantages from activities in these areas.

Conclusion

• The recently enacted treaty will enable the creation of marine protected areas in international waters, fostering resilience to climate change and safeguarding marine life. 
• Additionally, countries will be obligated to conduct environmental impact assessments for proposed activities in the high seas, ensuring a more sustainable approach to these areas.