This historic agreement offers the global community an opportunity to protect some of the abundant marine life and ecosystems in the twothirds of the ocean. This historic treaty will enable international efforts to protect biodiversity on the high seas, the ocean areas outside of national waters.The overall objective of the BBNJ Treaty is to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. The High Seas Treaty, also known as the agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction or 'BBNJ', was signed in New York on 20 September. This new international agreement seeks to fulfill UNCLOS's objectives to protect and preserve the marine environment in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Our global insights, straight to your inbox. The treaty will create a new body to manage conservation of ocean life and establish marine protected areas (MPAs) in the high seas.