The High Seas Treaty, officially known as the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, has entered into force as international law after decades of global negotiation and collaboration.

What’s happened?

This landmark treaty was adopted in March 2023 and, after sustained efforts, reached the required threshold of 60 ratifying countries in September 2025. Following the required 120‑day period, it officially came into effect in January 2026 - a huge milestone for ocean conservation.

Why it matters and why we’re celebrating

• Protecting the largest part of our ocean: The “high seas” waters beyond any single nation’s jurisdiction - cover roughly two‑thirds of the world’s ocean and nearly half of Earth’s surface. Until now, this vast area lacked a robust, coordinated legal framework to protect its rich biodiversity.

• Marine life gains a legal safeguard: For the first time, marine protected areas (MPAs) can be established in international waters, giving crucial refuge to whales, turtles, sharks, seabirds and untold life forms that depend on healthy open oceans.

• Smarter stewardship of ocean resources: The treaty introduces tools such as environmental impact assessments for activities that could harm ecosystems and promotes equitable sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources.

• Momentum for global goals: This legal framework helps push the world toward targets like protecting 30 % of the ocean by 2030, a key biodiversity and climate benchmark.
  
  

What this means for Ocean Bottle’s mission

At Ocean Bottle, we work every day to help reduce plastic pollution and restore ocean health. The High Seas Treaty represents a powerful new lever in global ocean governance, elevating marine protection to an international legal norm. It reflects the same spirit of collective responsibility and long‑term stewardship that motivates our impact model. This treaty gives communities, businesses, and advocates around the world a clearer path to protect places that were once almost entirely unregulated.

Looking ahead at the High Seas Treaty

While this is a moment to celebrate, implementation - like establishing the first marine protected areas and setting up treaty institutions will be the real test. What’s clear is that global cooperation can achieve great things for the ocean and this milestone gives us all even more reason to keep pushing for positive change.

Let’s carry forward this momentum - knowing that the ocean just received a historic boost in protection.