After 20 years of debate, the member countries of the United Nations reached a global agreement for the protection of the oceans.
After several days of debate in New York, the agreement created a legal framework under which each country would be bound by laws outside its national maritime boundaries that would enable the protection of oceans and aquatic life.
The agreement will be applicable to two-thirds of the world’s oceans. Under the agreement, the participants will convene a conference after a period of time and review compliance with the rules.
It is important to note that the open seas are geographical areas that do not fall within the maritime boundaries of any country and despite being half of the total area of the earth, there is no international law for their protection.