High Seas Treaty

• About:
  • According to the 1958 Geneva Convention on the High Seas, parts of the sea that are not included in the territorial waters or the internal waters of a country are known as the high seas.
  • It is the area beyond a country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (that extends up to 200 nautical miles from the coastline) and till where a nation has jurisdiction over living and non-living resources.
  • No country is responsible for the management and protection of resources on the high seas.
• Significance:
  • The high seas cover over 64% of the world’s oceans and 50% of the Earth’s surface, making them vital for marine life. 
  • They are home to around 270,000 known species, with many yet to be discovered. 
  • The high seas regulate climate, absorb carbon, store solar radiation, and distribute heat, crucial for planetary stability and mitigating climate change. 
  • They are essential for human survival, providing resources like seafood, raw materials, genetic and medicinal resources.
• Threats:
  • They absorb heat from the atmosphere and are affected by phenomena like the El Nino, and ocean acidification, which is endangering marine flora and fauna.
    • Several thousand marine species are at risk of extinction by 2100 if current warming and acidification trends continue.
  • Anthropogenic pressures on the high seas include seabed mining, noise pollution, chemical and oil spills and fires, disposal of untreated waste (including antibiotics), overfishing, introduction of invasive species, and coastal pollution.
  • Despite these threats, only about 1% of the high seas are currently protected.

What is the High Seas Treaty?

• About:
  • It is formally called the Agreement on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction. In short, known as BBJN or High Seas Treaty.
  • It is a new international legal framework under UNCLOS for maintaining the ecological health of the oceans.
  • The treaty was negotiated in 2023 and is meant to reduce pollution, and promote the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and other marine resources in ocean waters outside the national jurisdiction of any country.
• Key Objectives:
  • Conservation and Protection of Marine Ecology: This includes the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) where activities would be regulated to conserve the marine ecosystem.
  • Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits of Marine Resources: The treaty aims to ensure that the benefits from commercially valuable ocean organisms, either through scientific research or commercial exploitation, are shared equally among all countries.
  • Mandatory Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA): The treaty makes it mandatory to conduct prior EIA for any activity that could potentially pollute or damage the marine ecosystem, even if the activity is within a country’s national jurisdiction but the impact is expected in the high seas.
  • Capacity Building and Transfer of Marine Technologies: This will help developing countries to fully utilise the benefits of the oceans while also contributing to their conservation.
• Signing and Ratification:
  • Till June 2024, 91 countries have signed the treaty so far, with 8 of them having ratified it. It will become legally binding 120 days after 60 countries ratify it.
    • Ratification is the process by which a country agrees to be legally bound to the provisions of an international law, while signing indicates agreement without legal obligation until ratification occurs. The process for ratification varies by country.

What is the Significance of the High Seas Treaty?

• Addressing the “Global Commons” Challenge:
  • The high seas, covering 64% of the ocean, are a global commons, leading to resource overexploitation, biodiversity loss and environmental challenges.
    • The UN estimates that approximately 17 million tonnes of plastics were dumped into the oceans in 2021, with this amount expected to increase in the coming years.
  • This treaty has been compared to the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. It could lead to the protection of the vast ocean and the sustainable use of marine resources.
• Complementing UNCLOS:
  • BBJN is in line with the principles of the UNCLOS, which forms the overarching legal framework for the oceans.
    • UNCLOS sets general principles for equitable access, resource usage, and biodiversity protection in oceans but lacks specific implementation guidelines. 
    • The High Seas Treaty will address this gap, serving as an implementing agreement under UNCLOS once it comes into force.
    • It will provide a legal mechanism to create and manage marine protected areas in the high seas.
    • It will ensure the equitable and sustainable use of marine resources, balancing the interests of developed and developing countries. 
• Combating Emerging Threats:
  • The treaty addresses emerging challenges such as deep-sea mining, ocean acidification, and plastic pollution, which pose grave threats to the health and resilience of the high seas ecosystems.
• Strengthening International Cooperation:
  • By establishing a robust institutional framework and decision-making processes, the High Seas Treaty facilitates greater international cooperation and coordination in ocean governance.
• Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
  • The successful implementation of this treaty will significantly contribute to the achievement of SDG 14 (Life Below Water).
• Significance for India:
  • Global Leadership: India’s commitment to ocean governance and marine resource sustainability such as establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPA) underscores its global leadership and makes it an environmental champion.
  • Domestic Policy: The treaty’s EIA mandate India to align its maritime policies, promoting responsible international cooperation.
  • Economic Benefits: Provisions on benefit-sharing from marine genetic resources align with India’s Blue Economy goals, offering potential economic gains.
  • Strategic Considerations: Ratifying the treaty strengthens India’s Indo-Pacific position, supporting a sustainable maritime environment through the SAGAR initiative.