An explainer on the High Seas Treaty

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• they try to regulate how countries and companies can fish and explore for minerals on the high seas.

• marine genetic resources (MGR). If you’re wondering what on earth that is, well, think about all the organisms in the deep blue sea.

• Remdesivir, which is used for treating COVID actually came from the genetic material of a Japanese sea sponge.

• All of these breakthroughs are often worth millions of dollars.

• if you dissect who’s been filing patents on these marine genes, you’ll find something quite shocking. 98% of patents are from just 10 developed countries. And one single commercial corporation registered 47% of them. The MGRs are heavily concentrated in the hands of a few.

• Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Treaty is ready. Or just call it the High Seas Treaty if the official name is a mouthful.

• 30% of the world’s international waters will become marine protected areas (MPAs). Think of the MPA as a protected wildlife park in the ocean. The fish, mammals, and marine plants will be protected. It could prevent commercial ships from plying on certain routes. And it might put a hard stop to mining in these protected areas.