- Australia has become the 88th nation to ratify the High Seas Treaty
- The high seas make up two-thirds of the world's ocean that can now be protected under the treaty
The Australian Marine Conservation Society, The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Save Our Marine Life alliance welcome Australia's ratification of a landmark international agreement for the conservation and sustainable use of marine life in areas beyond national jurisdiction, also known as the high seas.
The High Seas Treaty, known officially as the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), is a legally binding treaty designed to help manage and protect international ocean areas. The treaty provides a framework to establish marine parks and marine sanctuaries, and provides guidelines to assess the environmental impacts of harmful activities. It came into effect in January 2026, with Australia now becoming the 88th ratifying country.
Paul Gamblin, CEO of the Australian Marine Conservation Society, said: "This is an historic moment and a real source of hope for international cooperation for ocean protection, at scale.
"The High Seas Treaty has finally given the world a way to protect marine life beyond the borders of any one nation. Today's ratification ensures Australia can continue to play a leading role in that conversation.
"We are pleased to see the High Seas Treaty ratification received widespread support across parliament, establishing a shared political legacy for protecting the high seas.
"The Australian Government must now work with other ratifying nations to protect marine life in the high seas, including Australian marine life that crosses back and forth across our ocean borders. The agreement has been many years in the making, but the growing threats to ocean health mean we don't have the luxury of time to get on with the job of applying these new laws to their full extent and protecting the high seas while we still can.
"The high seas make up about two-thirds of the world's ocean and cover nearly half of the surface of our planet.
"These vast waters serve as migratory routes for species such as whales and sharks, sustain fisheries, and support remarkable ecosystems including deep-sea reefs and seamounts. Yet only around 1% of the high seas is currently protected in marine sanctuaries."
Christabel Mitchell, Pew Charitable Trusts Oceans Director, said: "We commend the Australian Government for playing a leading role in ensuring this crucial treaty enters into force and for making sure Australia is now at the table as we enter the next step of collectively protecting the high seas.
"Protecting important areas in the high seas is critically important for safeguarding marine life beyond any one nation's jurisdiction and building ocean resilience in the face of climate change impacts. A network of marine protected areas in the high seas will be critical to protecting at least 30 percent of the global ocean in marine sanctuaries by 2030."
The Australian Marine Conservation Society and Pew Charitable Trusts lead the Save Our Marine Life alliance of 27 conservation groups.
