Efforts to pass international ocean protection treaty fail for fifth time
Talks have failed to pass the UN High Seas Treaty for the fifth time, after world leaders said they could not agree on terms of the treaty.
The global agreement was hoped would help to protect the oceans and marine life in “high seas” — an area in international waters where all countries have the right to fish, conduct research and shipping.
Only 1.2 per cent of international waters are currently protected, meaning all marine life living outside of these areas are subject to threats such as overfishing, shipping traffic, climate change and pollution.
The last time a global agreement on ocean protection was signed was 1982 — an occasion that resulted in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which established the ‘high seas’ region.
However, countries were unable to reach an agreement over how much each country should contribute towards protecting ocean habitats from pollution and over fishing.
It’s not confirmed when the talks will resume for the sixth attempt at a High Seas Treaty, but a deadline has been set for the end of this year.
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