Oceana celebrates the ratification of the High Seas Treaty

Press Release Date: September 19, 2025

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Emily Fairless | email: efairless@oceana.org | tel.: +32 478 038 490

Oceana celebrates the ratification of the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement, also called High Seas Treaty). Vera Coelho, Oceana’s Deputy Vice President in Europe, said: “Today we celebrate the 60th ratification of the High Seas Treaty by Morocco, which means this groundbreaking international agreement will enter into force in early 2026. Oceana urges the European Union, one of the champions of the Treaty and of the global target to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030, to lead the way in ocean protection by integrating this “30 by 30” target into the upcoming Ocean Act, and to ensure that all marine protected areas are free from destructive activities, such as bottom trawling. Words and signatures on paper are not enough. The EU has the chance to be the global leader it proclaims to be – but to do that, it must take real action to truly protect our ocean, mitigate climate change, and safeguard the lives and livelihoods of billions of people worldwide.”

Oceana is a member of the High Seas Alliance, which advocates for stronger governance and conservation of the high seas. Read more about Oceana’s reaction.

Learn more:

The High Seas Treaty

Oceana reaction to EU ratification (May 29, 2025)