INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
For the first time, United Nations members have agreed on a unified treaty to protect biodiversity on the high seas & representing a turning
point for vast stretches of the planet where conservation has previously been hampered by a confusing patchwork of laws.The U.N
Convention on the Law of the Sea came into force in 1994, before marine biodiversity was a well-established concept
The treaty agreement concluded two weeks of talks in New York, Associated Press reported Sunday.An updated framework to protect marine life
in the regions outside national boundary waters, known as the high seas, had been in discussions for more than 20 years, but previous
efforts to reach an agreement had repeatedly stalled
The unified agreement treaty, which applies to nearly half the planet&s surface, was reached late Saturday.&We only really have two major
global commons — the atmosphere and the oceans,& said Georgetown marine biologist Rebecca Helm
While the oceans may draw less attention, &protecting this half of earth&s surface is absolutely critical to the health of our
planet.&Nichola Clark, an oceans expert at the Pew Charitable Trusts who observed the talks in New York, called the long-awaited treaty text
&a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect the oceans — a major win for biodiversity.&The treaty will create a new body to manage the
conservation of ocean life and establish marine protected areas in the high seas
And Clark said that&s critical to achieve the U.N
Biodiversity Conference&s recent pledge to protect 30% of the planet&s waters, as well as its land, for conservation.Treaty negotiations
initially were anticipated to conclude Friday, but stretched through the night and deep into Saturday
The crafting of the treaty, which at times looked in jeopardy, represents &a historic and overwhelming success for international marine
protection,& said Steffi Lemke, Germany&s environment minister.&For the first time, we are getting a binding agreement for the high seas,
which until now have hardly been protected,& Lemke said
&Comprehensive protection of endangered species and habitats is now finally possible on more than 40% of the Earth&s surface.&The treaty
also establishes ground rules for conducting environmental impact assessments for commercial activities in the oceans.Several marine species
— including dolphins, whales, sea turtles and many fish — make long annual migrations, crossing national borders and the high seas
Efforts to protect them, along with human communities that rely on fishing or tourism related to marine life, have long proven difficult for
international governing bodies.&This treaty will help to knit together the different regional treaties to be able to address threats and
concerns across species& ranges,& Battle said.The post Nations reach historic accord to protect marine life on high seas first appeared on
