SAFEGUARDING THE HIGH SEAS: A LEGAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVE ON GLOBAL COMMONS AND THE 2023 BBNJ TREATY

Abstract

The oceans, covering over 70% of the Earth's surface, are essential for sustaining life, regulating climate, and supporting global biodiversity. However, increasing human activities, overfishing, pollution, and climate change have placed these vital ecosystems under unprecedented stress. This paper delves into the concept of global commons, focusing on the oceans as a shared resource, and examines the historical, legal, and environmental dimensions of their governance. Highlighting the challenges posed by weak regulatory frameworks and unsustainable practices, it emphasizes the urgency of addressing issues like biodiversity loss, marine pollution, and overexploitation. The 2023 Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty emerges as a pivotal step towards cooperative management of the high seas, offering a legal framework for marine conservation and sustainable use. The paper concludes by suggesting actionable pathways, including international collaboration, robust policy implementation, and the adoption of sustainable practices to ensure the oceans' health and resilience for generations to come. This study underscores the critical need to view ocean conservation as a collective global responsibility.