High Seas Treaty

One Ocean – One Planet – One Treaty

The High Seas Alliance (HSA) sometimes uses the term “High Seas Treaty“ as a short-hand for the BBNJ Agreement. HSA acknowledges that the scope of the BBNJ Agreement encompasses all Areas beyond national jurisdiction, including the seafloor and water column. This choice of wording is intended to ease understanding for broad audiences and does not convey a prioritization among the components or principles of the BBNJ Agreement.

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Discover a few of the incredible biodiversity hotspots that could become High Seas marine protected areas under the new High Seas Treaty.

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Expand your knowledge and understanding of what needs to happen to transform the High Seas Treaty into action on the water.

Latest News

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From Treaty to Action: Bringing the High Seas Treaty to…

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Our Ocean Beyond Borders: Understanding the High Seas Treaty

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60 to Global: Ratify Now!

The new High Seas Treaty will safeguard life in the entire ocean beyond countries’ national jurisdictions. It is the global opportunity to finally address the many governance gaps that have plagued the ocean and left it vulnerable to overexploitation for decades.

After being formally adopted in June, the Treaty reached the required 60 ratifications on 19 September 2025, triggering the 120-day countdown to entry into force on 17 January 2026. With the Treaty now law, governments can begin turning ambition into action, ramping up international cooperation to protect our shared ocean, tackle climate breakdown, and safeguard the lives and livelihoods of billions of people worldwide.

It has taken almost two decades to get this far. A critical tool to address our planetary emergency is within our grasp.

Ask more governments to continue to Ratify the High Seas Treaty Now!

120-Day Countdown to Entry Into Force

Join the Race for Ratification!

The BBNJ Agreement’s entry into force in January 2026 marks an exciting new era of global cooperation to safeguard our shared ocean. We now have international mechanisms for establishing marine protected areas and ensuring new activities are guided by strong environmental and social requirements. Equally important, it strives for greater equity, empowering all nations with the knowledge and capacity to better navigate the challenges of a changing ocean. Supporting this vision is a critical priority requiring urgent input from all.
KRISTIN M.GJERDE - Senior High Seas Advisor, IUCN Ocean Team
I would like to warmly thank the High Seas Alliance for its restless work on the conclusion of the BBNJ Agreement. This is a historic achievement. The conclusion of the BBNJ Agreement was a priority of the European Union and its Member States. It is now a priority to ensure it swiftly enters into force and is effectively implemented.
VIRGINIJUS SINKEVIČIUS - Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries

Shane Gross -Greenpeace

About the High Seas Alliance

Since its founding in 2011, the High Seas Alliance with its 70+ non-governmental members and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, has been working towards protecting the 50% of the planet that is the High Seas; the global ocean beyond national jurisdiction. This area includes some of the most biologically important, least protected, and most critically threatened ecosystems in the world.

High Seas Alliance members work together to inspire, inform and engage the public, decision-makers and experts to support and strengthen High Seas governance and conservation, as well as cooperating towards the establishment of High Seas marine protected areas.

In November 2025, the High Seas Treaty won the Earthshot Prize in the 'Revive our Oceans' category, and the High Seas Alliance had the honor to represent the Treaty in accepting the prestigious Award on behalf of everyone who has made the Treaty a reality. Learn more here.

Protecting the Ocean We Need - Securing the Future We Want