‘High Seas Treaty’ effective from today

January 17, 2026 is going to be marked as a golden day in the history of human civilization. The High Seas Treaty or ‘ BBNJ Agreement  took effect on January 17, 2026, after 20 years of discussions and negotiations.

Almost two-thirds of the world’s oceans, not belonging to any country, are now protected by an international legal framework for the first time. This

Until now, this large ocean area was like a ‘lawless forest’ or ‘Wild West’, allowing anyone to fish or extract minerals. Starting today, any commercial activities like deep-sea mining or large-scale fishing in this area require strict permission from international authorities.

At this historic juncture in 2026, more than 60 countries around the world have signed this agreement. Its main goal is to declare 30% of the ocean as ‘Marine Protected Areas’ (MPAs) by 2030.

The economic impact of this agreement is huge. Starting now, companies using genetic information from marine biodiversity for new drugs must share a portion of their profits with developing countries. This will create a new balance in the global marine economy.

Some developed countries and large mining companies oppose this agreement as it would limit their potential profits. The 2026 agreement is viewed as a crucial step in protecting the oceans and the global ecosystem.