The Problem These areas are unprotected and face real threats.
Ninety percent of world shipping trade moves across the high seas, which are also an increasingly busy fishing space. Marine mammals and other species are imperiled by ship strikes, noise, and pollution from ballast water discharges and fuel leaks. These direct threats to the high seas environment are magnified by ocean acidification and climate change.
Until the new high seas treaty enters into force, there is no comprehensive legal mechanism in place to protect these waters and the marine life that makes its home there. A fragmented puzzle of organizations manages different human activities on the high seas with varying degrees of effectiveness. The lack of coordination between these efforts leads to the degradation of the marine environment and its resources.