Context

• India has decided to sign and ratify the 'High Seas Treaty', that is often compared to the 2015 Paris Agreement in its reach and impact.

Key Highlights

• It is a global agreement for conservation and protection of biodiversity in the oceans.
• It will become international law once it is ratified by the requisite number of countries, allowing it to operate under the framework of UNCLOS.
• This treaty will demarcate marine protected areas in biodiversity-rich zones of the oceans that are under stress.

United Nations High Seas Treaty

• Also known as: Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ)
• Proposed: During 2015 Paris Agreement
• At least 60 countries are required to submit their formal ratification to make this treaty an international law.
• 91 countries have signed the treaty, but only eight of them have ratified.

What are ‘High seas’?

• According to the Geneva Convention, 1958, the parts of the sea that are not included in the territorial waters or the internal waters of a country are known as the High Seas.
• The resources found in these areas, which constitute about 64% of the ocean surface, are open for extraction by anyone.

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

• Adopted: 1982 
• Also known as Law of the Sea 
• It divides marine areas into five main zones namely- Internal Waters, Territorial Sea, Contiguous Zone, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the High Seas.
• COP15: Countries agreed to protect 30% of oceans by 2030.
• World Oceans Day: 8 June