Will the High Seas Treaty Actually Change Anything?

How To Protect The Ocean · May 27, 2026 · 10m

High Seas Treaty implementation is now the real test for ocean conservation. The agreement was historic, but the hardest part was never getting countries to celebrate the deal. The real challenge is what happens after the headlines disappear.

In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin looks at whether the High Seas Treaty can actually change anything for biodiversity beyond national waters. The treaty creates a legal pathway for marine protected areas on the high seas, but enforcement, funding, political commitment, and accountability will determine whether those protected…