From June 9–13, 2025, the coastal city of Nice, France hosted the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3), a gathering of leaders, scientists, and civil society from more than 120 nations. Among the many issues raised at the summit, one treaty was at the center of international debate and diplomatic urgency: the High Seas Treaty, officially known as the BBNJ Treaty (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction).

Though largely unknown to the general public, this treaty could become one of the most important legal tools in the history of ocean conservation. And for countries like Costa Rica, which co-hosted the summit, its implementation represents not just a hope—but a moral imperative.

What Is the High Seas Treaty?

The BBNJ Treaty, adopted in 2023 after nearly two decades of negotiations at the United Nations, aims to protect biodiversity in the high seas—the vast areas of the ocean that lie beyond the jurisdiction of any one country.

These waters account for over 60% of the ocean’s surface, and until now, they’ve been exploited with little regulation. Industrial fishing, deep-sea mining, and bioprospecting have often taken place in a legal vacuum, far from the reach of national environmental laws or oversight.

The High Seas Treaty changes this by:

• Creating a legal framework to establish marine protected areas (MPAs) in international waters
• Requiring environmental impact assessments before major activities are approved
• Setting rules for scientific research and access to marine genetic resources
• Ensuring equitable sharing of benefits derived from those resources
• Establishing mechanisms for global cooperation, monitoring, and transparency

Why the Treaty Matters: A Legal Shield for the “Wild West” of the Ocean

The high seas have often been referred to as the “Wild West” of the ocean—lawless, largely unmonitored, and open to overexploitation. Without international protections, entire ecosystems can be destroyed out of sight and out of mind.

The treaty is, therefore, a landmark opportunity to:

• Safeguard migratory species like whales, sea turtles, and tuna
• Protect vulnerable ecosystems, such as deep-sea coral reefs
• Regulate commercial extraction of marine genetic material used in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology
• Prevent destructive practices, like seabed mining, before they expand

The stakes are enormous. What happens in the high seas does not stay in the high seas—it affects climate patterns, fish stocks, carbon cycling, and the health of the entire planet.

Who Has Signed and Who Has Not?

As of June 2025:

• More than 80 countries have signed the treaty, including Costa Rica, France, Chile, Germany, and Spain
• But only 22 countries have ratified it, far short of the 60 ratifications required for the treaty to enter into force

Some of the world’s largest economies—the United States, China, Japan, and Canada—have yet to ratify the treaty. These absences are significant, as many of the companies engaged in offshore extraction and industrial fishing are headquartered in these countries.

Without their participation, enforcement gaps will remain—and the effectiveness of the treaty could be weakened.

Costa Rica: A Voice of Leadership and Integrity

At the UN Ocean Conference, Costa Rica stood out as one of the first nations to ratify the High Seas Treaty and as a powerful advocate for its immediate implementation.

Costa Rica’s position was clear and uncompromising:

“We cannot claim to be ocean stewards if we allow over half of the ocean to remain without rules.”

Known for its progressive environmental policies, Costa Rica has long championed marine protection. From establishing marine corridors in the Eastern Tropical Pacific to protecting more than 30% of its marine territory, the country continues to punch well above its weight on the global environmental stage.

Its leadership at UNOC3 was not only symbolic—it was strategic. Costa Rica worked with France and other allies to encourage more countries to ratify the treaty, engage developing nations, and propose fair governance systems that include all voices, not just the richest or most powerful.

What Will It Take to Make the Treaty Work?

Once ratified by at least 60 countries, the treaty will require the creation of new institutions and monitoring mechanisms. Key challenges include:

1. Setting up enforcement systems to monitor illegal activities in remote areas
2. Securing financial support for developing countries to comply with treaty obligations
3. Coordinating international scientific input to identify areas for conservation
4. Creating fair systems for benefit-sharing and access to marine resources
5. Maintaining transparency and public accountability

This is where global cooperation will be tested. No one country can protect the high seas alone.

What This Means for Responsible Travelers

At Green Circle Experience, we believe that travelers are more than tourists—they are ambassadors for a better planet. The High Seas Treaty may seem distant from a vacation in Costa Rica, but in reality, it affects:

• The health of the fish you may eat
• The coral reefs you dive into
• The climate stability that shapes Costa Rica’s lush biodiversity
• The global ocean system that regulates life as we know it

By choosing eco-certified tours, electric mobility, and low-impact accommodations, you become part of a movement that supports the same values behind the High Seas Treaty: respect, balance, protection.

A Treaty for the Future—But Action Must Happen Now

The oceans are warming, acidifying, rising, and losing oxygen. And they are doing so faster than expected.

The High Seas Treaty is not just a piece of paper—it’s a test of our species’ ability to think long-term, to govern fairly, and to care for a common good beyond borders.

Costa Rica is doing its part. Will the rest of the world follow?