Historic United Nations Treaty Adopted to Protect Marine Biodiversity in the High Seas

The United Nations adopted the first legally-binding international treaty governing the high seas to protect marine biodiversity.
The treaty establishes large-scale marine protected areas, guidelines to measure environmental impacts, and rules for commercial activities like fishing and mining in international waters.
Over 15 years of discussions and negotiations among nearly 200 nations led to the agreement.
The treaty creates an governing body to oversee compliance and enforcement of the terms that aim to prevent species extinctions and habitat loss.
The treaty will take effect once 60 members ratify it.