The oceans account for 99% of the living biosphere yet less than 5% of it has been explored. Currently,  plastic and chemical pollution, destructive fishing activities, ocean acidification & warming, sea bed mining, and other human activities pose significant risks to the ecological balance of the oceans, upon which humanity relies for our very existence.

However, last Saturday (January 17, 2026), the High Seas Treaty came into force. 

The High Seas are beyond national jurisdictions and include almost half of the planet’s surface. However, until now there was no legal framework to protect biodiversity on the High Seas. 

This article in New Scientist (behind a paywall) and this one in Euro News describe the great need for and considerable value of this Treaty. A key feature of the Treaty is having Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), so the next step is to set up MPAs. The challenge though is for countries that signed the treaty agreement but have not yet ratified the final Treaty itself, such as the US, UK, Canada & Australia, to either ratify the Treaty or, at least, voluntarily abide by the terms of the Treaty.

That’s where we come in.  Please write to your Senators and 

Congress men and women to alert them to the Treaty and the urgent need for the US to ratify it and join the international community to protect the oceans. You don’t need a long or in depth letter; feel free to copy & use the above text. 

Expressing your support for ratification of and compliance with the Treaty is key. So, when the US decides to re-join the global community, working to protect the oceans should be top on the list.

Thanks for you interest. Please let me know your thoughts about this issue and if you took action to help our oceans. 

Cheers, Bill

Reference for 99% number for living biosphere above.