to be clear: When the High Seas Treaty became international law
The High Seas Treaty — formally the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) — was adopted by the UN on 19 June 2023.
After at least 60 countries ratified it, the treaty entered into force on 17 January 2026. That means it became international law among the countries that have ratified it on that date.
📌 UK status
The UK signed the High Seas Treaty in September 2023 but has not ratified it yet.
UK Parliament passed primary legislation (the BBNJ Act) in early 2026 needed to enable eventual ratification, but additional legal changes (secondary legislation) are required before ratification can be deposited.
Until ratification is deposited at the UN, the Treaty does not yet have force as UK domestic law and the UK is technically not yet bound by it.
The wheels of progress turn slowly, and as you often point out quite often don’t go anywhere.
Thank you for this insight and warning........
You’re very welcome.
to be clear: When the High Seas Treaty became international law
The High Seas Treaty — formally the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) — was adopted by the UN on 19 June 2023.
After at least 60 countries ratified it, the treaty entered into force on 17 January 2026. That means it became international law among the countries that have ratified it on that date.
📌 UK status
The UK signed the High Seas Treaty in September 2023 but has not ratified it yet.
UK Parliament passed primary legislation (the BBNJ Act) in early 2026 needed to enable eventual ratification, but additional legal changes (secondary legislation) are required before ratification can be deposited.
Until ratification is deposited at the UN, the Treaty does not yet have force as UK domestic law and the UK is technically not yet bound by it.