More Nations Ratify Critical Ocean Protection Treaty

A critical environmental win comes as six more European Union nations ratify the High Seas Treaty.

“This new global Ocean Treaty is a rare and vital opportunity – a ray of light in this fractured world. A healthy ocean underpins a stable future for all of us,” says Rebecca Hubbard, Director of the High Seas Alliance.

Cyprus, Finland, Portugal, Hungary, Latvia, and Slovenia have officially ratified the treaty ahead of the coming United Nations Ocean Conference, bringing the total number of ratifications up to 28. The treaty must receive 60 ratifications to become binding international law, which it is expected to be soon achieved based on the 115 countries that have already signed it. The “High Seas” refer to international waters; as of now, only an estimated 1.5 per cent is safeguarded as marine protected areas. The High Seas Treaty, if ratified, will help establish marine protected areas, reduce harmful activities, and advance ocean equity, among others.