Countries around the world have agreed a historic deal to protect oceans that lie outside national boundaries after nearly two decades of on-off negotiations.
The UN High Seas Treaty, which will aim to protect 30 per cent of international waters by 2030, was agreed late on Saturday night in New York after a final two days of nonstop talks that centred around support for developing nations to meet the treaty’s commitments and debate about who will benefit from marine resources.
More than 60 per cent of oceans are considered international waters, known as high seas, which means all countries have the right to ship, fish and do research there. Only about 1 per cent of high seas are now protected.