Lancaster and Wyre MP Cat Smith 'delighted' as UK ratifies major international treaty to protect world's ocean

Lancaster and Wyre MP Cat Smith has said she is "delighted" after the UK ratified a landmark international treaty designed to better protect nearly two-thirds of the world's ocean.

The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty, strengthens protection for marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction and, for the first time, creates a legal mechanism to establish marine protected areas on the high seas.

The UK formally completed ratification after the Foreign Secretary signed the required document, which has now been deposited with the United Nations in New York.

Strengthen marine biodiversity

Cat Smith MP said: “The Agreement will strengthen the protection of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, which make up nearly two-thirds of the world’s ocean. It establishes, for the first time, a legal mechanism to create marine protected areas on the high seas, helping to conserve vulnerable habitats and species for future generations.

“Given the scale of the climate and ecological emergencies our planet faces we now need to be looking at what further steps need to be taken to better protect the global natural environment. To this end, I am supporting the Government’s efforts to now deliver an ambitious and effective global plastics treaty and have been pressing Ministers to act to ensure that plastics industry lobbyists are not able to hamper this work.”

The agreement aims to safeguard vulnerable marine habitats and species, while supporting sustainable management of ocean resources. It also introduces rules for the fair sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources, which have potential uses in medicine, biotechnology, agriculture and scientific research.

The UK played a leading role in negotiating the treaty over more than a decade and was among the first countries to sign it in 2023.

The agreement also supports the global target of protecting 30% of the world's land and ocean by 2030 and strengthens international efforts to tackle biodiversity loss and protect ocean ecosystems.

‘One of our planet’s greatest treasures’

Marine Minister Emma Hardy said: “I’ve always believed the ocean is one of our planet’s greatest treasures, supporting nature, communities and our climate. When I announced at the UN Ocean Conference last year that the UK would bring forward legislation to enable ratification of the BBNJ Agreement, I was determined that this commitment would lead to meaningful change.

“I’m proud that the UK has now ratified this landmark Agreement. For the first time, we have the global tools to create marine protected areas beyond national jurisdictions, helping deliver our commitment to protect 30% of the world’s ocean by 2030.”