Historic Ocean Treaty Protects Half the Planet's Waters

Nearly half the planet just got a fighting chance at recovery, thanks to a historic agreement that starts protecting the high seas this week.

The High Seas Treaty officially takes effect on January 17, safeguarding the vast two-thirds of ocean that sits beyond any single country's control. This area covers almost half of Earth's surface and holds incredible biodiversity that's been declining without protection.

Scientists at Oregon State University helped make this moment possible. In 2021, they published "The MPA Guide," a comprehensive framework for creating and monitoring marine protected areas. Less than two years later, the United Nations adopted it as the foundation for the treaty text.

The response was immediate and overwhelming. Within just three days of opening for signatures, 81 nations signed on, including the United States. The diversity of countries, from small island nations to major economic powers, showed global recognition that protecting these waters matters to everyone.

Palau became the first country to ratify the treaty in January 2024, making a formal commitment to follow its rules. When Morocco became the 60th nation to ratify on September 19, 2025, it triggered a 120-day countdown to implementation.

Marine protected areas work by setting aside parts of the ocean from activities like fishing, mining, and drilling. These zones give ecosystems space to recover and thrive. The MPA Guide created clear categories based on protection levels, giving countries an evidence-based way to measure their progress.

"We have an unprecedented opportunity to protect and sustainably use the biodiversity in an area covering nearly half the planet," said Jane Lubchenco, distinguished professor at Oregon State and senior author of the guide. The World Database on Protected Areas has already adopted the framework, making it the global standard.

The Ripple Effect

This treaty represents decades of work by hundreds of scientists and stakeholders coming together. What started as research papers and ocean surveys became international policy that will shape our planet's future.

The agreement also gives countries a voice in critical decisions about emerging ocean activities like deep-sea aquaculture and geoengineering that could affect everyone's coastal waters. Nations that ratify get voting power on these issues, while those who don't must accept whatever others decide.

So far, 145 of the UN's 193 member states have signed, and 81 have ratified. The United States signed in 2023 but hasn't yet ratified, meaning it currently has no vote in implementation decisions.

The treaty isn't just about drawing lines on maps. It requires social science alongside marine biology to ensure that diverse cultures and geographies have a say in how protection works. Inclusivity will determine whether these protections actually succeed in the real world.

Professor Kirsten Grorud-Colvert, who led the MPA Guide project, sees this as a major milestone in a longer journey. "We obviously still have a lot of work to do, but the High Seas Treaty represents another huge milestone," she said.

The ocean that covers most of our blue planet is finally getting the protection it needs to recover and thrive for generations to come.