Senator The Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Senator The Hon Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water
Federal Parliament has today passed the Albanese Government's legislation that will see Australia officially join a landmark international treaty to protect the ocean beyond our country's borders.
The High Seas Biodiversity Treaty (also known as Marine Biological Diversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) provides the comprehensive framework for nations, including Australia, to protect and sustainably manage the world's ocean beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.
The high seas, which sit outside individual countries' maritime boundaries and exclusive economic zones, cover more than 60 percent of the global ocean, yet only around 1 percent is protected.
Australia was one of the first countries to sign the treaty in 2023 and has been leading, with Belize, the international negotiations to prepare for its implementation. Australia is now ready to ratify the treaty, being one of a small handful of countries that require legislation prior to treaty ratification.
Through the treaty, Australia will work with other parties to better protect and sustainably manage the world's ocean. This could include the establishment of marine protected areas, stronger regulation of the use of marine resources, and undertaking environmental impact assessments of proposed activities.
