A primer on what the high seas treaty is and how it will work

The approval of a high seas treaty means new protections will be possible in international waters for the first time.

Here's a rundown of what the treaty is, why it matters and what is still to come.

It's the first agreement to protect marine diversity

Formally known as the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction, the treaty is the first legally binding agreement aimed at protecting marine biodiversity in international waters. These areas, which lie beyond the jurisdiction of any single country, account for nearly two-thirds of the ocean and nearly half of Earth’s surface.

Until now, no comprehensive legal framework existed to create marine protected areas or enforce conservation on the high seas.

Climate change and other threats to the seas

Despite their remoteness, t