How can science support and enable the High Seas Treaty?

The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement, commonly referred to as the High Seas Treaty, officially entered into force in January 2026 after nearly two decades of complex international negotiations. This groundbreaking agreement aims to conserve and sustainably manage marine biological diversity in areas that fall outside any single nation's jurisdiction—remote oceanic regions comprising approximately two-thirds of the global ocean. These vast, largely unexplored waters harbor significant but unquantified levels of biodiversity and marine resources.

A comprehensive new study published in npj Ocean Sustainability reveals that while extensive research has examined the international policy implications of implementing this agreement, there has been a notable absence of guidance on how scientific capabilities can effectively support its objectives.

To bridge this knowledge gap, an international consortium of distinguished marine science and policy experts conducted an extensive review of existing scientific resources that could support the agreement's implementation and identified critical areas requiring further development.

Their approach involved examining each of the agreement's four foundational pillars, assessing current scientific understanding, and determining where existing technologies could be adapted or enhanced. The research also explored the necessity for novel, emerging technologies and evaluated investment requirements for scaling up data collection while supporting capacity building in developing nations to meet the treaty's demands.

The authors present compelling examples of relevant scientific applications and lessons learned from existing conservation efforts.

The researchers' analysis reveals substantial challenges that could potentially impede the BBNJ's implementation from scientific and technological perspectives. These obstacles range from inadequate biodiversity monitoring systems and the absence of long-term data series to limited understanding of critical processes such as large-scale connectivity between marine areas and deep-sea ecosystems.

However, their findings also demonstrate how significant recent advances in marine science and technology could effectively address these challenges. Notable developments include the expanded deployment of marine autonomous vessels for comprehensive surveys and the application of artificial intelligence for sophisticated data analysis.

Leveraging these insights, the research team has developed a comprehensive, solutions-oriented roadmap designed to deliver the scientific foundation necessary to achieve the BBNJ Agreement's objectives. This framework is intended to guide governments and policymakers in ensuring effective global implementation for marine biodiversity protection.

The study's lead author, Dr. Claire Szostek, Lecturer in Marine Conservation at the University of Plymouth and formerly a Senior Scientist at Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), collaborated with researchers from Plymouth Marine Laboratory, The Nature Conservancy, and The Natural History Museum.

Dr. Szostek emphasized the significance of this work: "The BBNJ agreement represents a remarkable global achievement with tremendous potential for protecting some of the most remote and pristine areas of our ocean. While reaching this milestone required extensive time and effort, previous focus has centered on policy development, leaving a gap in understanding how to implement the agreement from a scientific perspective. Our study addresses this need by providing a solutions-focused pathway for implementation and supporting the realization of equitable, sustainable, and resilient high seas management."

The publication coincides with the recent conclusion of the Third BBNJ Symposium, which convened scientists, policymakers, practitioners, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), civil society representatives, and other stakeholders to explore the critical role of science and knowledge in implementing and governing the BBNJ agreement.

Professor Matt Frost, Head of the International Office at PML and senior author of the study, participated in this significant gathering held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from March 10–12.

Professor Frost noted: "The BBNJ presents an extraordinary opportunity, particularly in consolidating and achieving global marine protection goals. However, establishing regulations is comparatively straightforward—the real challenge lies in ensuring effective implementation. This unprecedented exercise in global diplomacy demands the strategic mobilization and utilization of the highest quality scientific data, expertise, and technology available. Additionally, it will require substantial capacity-building efforts in regions where resources have historically been limited or inaccessible."

A roadmap to enhance data resources and sharing

Following their comprehensive analysis of the BBNJ Agreement objectives and evaluation of existing scientific capabilities, the researchers propose a strategic five-point action plan designed to enable science and policy communities to better support the agreement's implementation:

Action 1—Embrace technological advancements: While preserving existing time series and traditional taxonomic expertise remains essential, technological innovations are crucial for improving data collection capabilities in remote oceanic locations.

Action 2—Upscale spatial-temporal coverage and sharing of data: Enhanced data-to-tools pipelines are necessary, including improved interoperability between global databases and maintenance of standardized metadata protocols.

Action 3—Novel funding sources and data collection platforms: The remote nature of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, combined with challenging funding environments, necessitates innovative approaches to data collection, such as utilizing commercial fishing vessels as research platforms.

Action 4—Design marine spatial planning that is climate-smart: Adaptive, climate-responsive approaches for area-based management tools are essential to maintain management effectiveness as species distributions shift under changing ocean conditions and to protect high-carbon seafloor areas, integrating conservation with climate mitigation efforts.

Action 5—Build capacity and share resources: Successful implementation requires comprehensive global capacity building and resource sharing initiatives.