after 15 years of discussions, a treaty to protect the high seas

It was a historic moment that took place at the United Nations headquarters on Saturday evening, March 4, in New York (United States). The emotion is intense, the president of the commission bursts into tears, it took 15 years of discussions and negotiations to reach this agreement around a text to protect the high seas. And for good reason, the challenge is to size. It covers more than half of the surface of the planet and hides gigantic resources in its depths which arouse covetousness.

UN rules will apply in protected areas

Fishing, oil and gas threaten this sanctuary, which the text initialed on Saturday should partly protect. “That means either fully protected areas, where no human activity is allowed. No fishing, no maritime transport, no mining. And highly protected reserves, with human activities that can take place, but which will be supervised and regulated”, explains Hélène Bourges, head of Oceans campaigns at Greenpeace France. Beyond the distance of 370 kilometers from the coasts, the exclusive economic zone of the States, the rules of the UN will apply. In all, 30% of the oceans will be protected.