Australia passes High Seas Biodiversity legislation

Federal Parliament has today passed the Albanese Government’s legislation that will see Australia officially join a landmark international treaty to protect the ocean beyond our country’s borders.

The High Seas Biodiversity Treaty (also known as Marine Biological Diversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) provides the comprehensive framework for nations, including Australia, to protect and sustainably manage the world’s ocean beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.

The high seas, which sit outside individual countries’ maritime boundaries and exclusive economic zones, cover more than 60 percent of the global ocean, yet only around 1 percent is protected.

Australia was one of the first countries to sign the treaty in 2023 and has been leading, with Belize, the international negotiations to prepare for its implementation. Australia is now ready to ratify the treaty, being one of a small handful of countries that require legislation prior to treaty ratification.

Through the treaty, Australia will work with other parties to better protect and sustainably manage the world’s ocean. This could include the establishment of marine protected areas, stronger regulation of the use of marine resources, and undertaking environmental impact assessments of proposed activities.

More information about the High Seas Biodiversity Treaty is available here: www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/marine/high-seas-biodiversity-treaty

Quote attributable to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“Ratification will give Australia greater involvement in decision-making around protection and sustainable management of the high seas.

“Healthy oceans help keep our food supply chains more secure, reliable and sustainable.

“Becoming a Party to the Treaty will mean Australia joins more than 80 countries who are taking action in support to protect marine areas both here in the Pacific and further afield.

“We are stepping up to protect our region because what happens in the high seas affects our economy, our environment and our way of life.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt:

“In Australian waters more than half of our maritime jurisdiction is now protected through our marine parks network, including 2.2 million square kilometres in highly protected areas, and that number continues to grow.

“But what happens on the high seas has a direct impact on Australia’s ocean and the industries that depend on it, such as tourism and fisheries.

“The High Seas Biodiversity Treaty is pivotal to safeguard the health of the ocean that we share with other nations and will support a thriving ocean economy for future generations. Protections implemented under the Treaty will also contribute towards the global target to protect 30 percent of the world’s ocean by 2030.

“Australia was among the first to sign up to the Treaty, and has been leading preparations for its implementation, so it’s fantastic to see this pass the Parliament to enable ratification.”

Quotes attributable to WWF Australia CEO, Dermot O’Gorman:

“The high seas cover half the planet and are home to countless whales, corals, turtles, rays and fish. We rely on this vast expanse for oxygen, climate regulation and food, but until now it has been heavily exploited with almost no protection.

“This treaty gives us the tools to protect biodiversity on the high seas - and Australia stepping up really matters.

“WWF especially welcomes the support across the parliament for this treaty to become Australian law.

“Australia now needs to work closely with other ocean-loving countries to identify key areas for protection.”