The main contract for the oceans crosses a critical threshold to take effect

A global agreement designed to protect the world’s oceans and to turn damage from maritime life is to become international law.

The opening contract has received its 60 ratification from Morocco on Friday, which means it will now come into force in January.

The deal, which is two decades in the creation, will pave the way to international waters to be placed in marine protected areas.

Environmentalists predicted a cornerstone as a “monumental achievement” and evidence that countries could work together to protect the environment.

“By covering more than two -thirds of the ocean, the agreement defines binding rules for the preservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity,” said United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guteres.

Decades of excessive fishing, pollution from shipping and warming oceans from climate change damage under the surface.

In the last estimate of marine species, nearly 10% were at risk of extinction, according to the International Union for Nature Protection (IUCN).

Three years ago, countries agreed that 30% of world national and international waters – on the high seas – must be protected by 2030 to help to exhaust marine life.

But the high seas protection is a challenge. No country controls these waters and all nations have the right to send fish there.

At present, only 1% of the high seas are protected, leaving marine life at risk of over -exploitation.

So, in 2023 the countries signed Open -air promising to place 30% of these waters in protected marine areas.

But he was able to take effect only if more than 60 nations ratified it – which means They agreed to be legally bound by himS

With many countries requiring parliament’s approval, ratification can often take more than five years, Elizabeth Wilson, Senior Director of Environment Policy in the Ecological NGO of Pews charity, told the BBC at the UN Conference earlier this year. She said it was “record time”.

The United Kingdom has introduced its bill to ratify in parliament earlier this month.

Kirsten Shutt, CEO of WWF International, welcomed “Monumental Achievement for Ocean Protection” after reaching the threshold of the Treaty.

She added: “The opening treaty will be a positive catalyst for cooperation in international waters and agreements and is a turning point for two -thirds of the oceans that are beyond the national jurisdiction.”

Mads Christensen, CEO of Greenpeace International, called it “a remarkable moment” and “proof that the countries can gather to protect our blue planet.”

“The era of operation and destruction must be completed. Our oceans cannot wait either,” he added.

Once the contract comes into force, the parties will propose that areas be protected and then they will be voted on by the parties registering in the contract.

Critics point out that the parties will conduct their environmental impact assessments (EIA) and make the final decision – although other countries may register concerns with observation authorities.

The ocean is crucial to the survival of all organisms on the planet. This is the largest ecosystem, it is evaluated that it will contribute by $ 2.5 trillion to the world’s economies and provides up to 80% of the oxygen we breathe.