Nations reach accord to protect marine life on high seas

For the first time, United Nations members have agreed on a unified treaty to protect biodiversity in the high seas, concluding two weeks of talks in New York. The high seas encompass nearly two-thirds of the ocean and half the planet's surface. The treaty will create a new body to manage conservation of ocean life and establish marine protected areas in regions of the ocean outside national boundary waters. It also establishes ground rules for conducting environmental impact assessments for commercial activities at sea. Many marine species — including dolphins, whales, sea turtles — make long annual migrations, crossing national borders and the high seas.