After almost 100 years on the planet, I now understand the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea
© Shutterstock / Earth theater / WWF
High Hopes for the High Seas
Guardians Appeal 2026
The oceans future is in our hands
Less than 1% of the high seas are currently protected. With the High Seas Treaty now in place. We have a crucial opportunity to protect our ocean’s vast wilderness – for marine life, people and the future of our planet.
THE HIGH SEAS
The high seas are international waters that lie beyond the jurisdiction of any single country. They cover nearly half the Earth’s surface - sustaining incredible biodiversity, providing food and livelihoods for millions of people, and playing a critical role in stabilising our climate.
© naturepl.com / Mark Carwardine / WWF
© Henry Harrison / WWF
UNDER PRESSURE
These life-sustaining waters are under increasing pressure. Despite their global importance, the fragmented and minimal protections currently in place leave them dangerously exposed to exploitation and irreversible damage - posing potentially disastrous consequences for our world.
The Last Ice Area
The Central Arctic Ocean is one of the Earth’s most vulnerable places, where the Last Ice Area - a key stronghold of multi-year sea ice is rapidly disappearing. Establishing marine protected areas across this region is crucial as melting ice accelerates climate change and opens new shipping routes, putting vital habitats and migration routes for Arctic wildlife under extreme risk.
The High Seas Treaty
Following around 20 years of negotiation, the High Seas Treaty* has finally come into force - giving nations a legally binding framework to collectively protect and manage the high seas.
The Treaty underpins the crucial global 30x30 goal we support to protect 30% of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030. WWF has played a central role in shaping the High Seas Treaty since the start. Our advocacy helped put nature at the heart of the agreement. As the next vital stage begins, we need your help to turn that agreement into lasting action.
*Formally named the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction.
In Deep Trouble
Unsustainable fishing, shipping, deep-sea mining and climate change all threaten the high seas. We must act now to protect these vulnerable waters.
© AFMA
Overfishing
The number of overfished stocks globally has tripled in the past 50 years. Overfishing is closely tied to bycatch which needlessly kills hundreds of thousands of cetaceans and turtles globally each year.
© Michel Gunther / WWF
Shipping
In the last 20 years, ocean traffic has tripled. Increased pollution, ship strikes and underwater noise from large vessels crossing the high seas is disorienting, harming and killing marine wildlife.
© Jurgen Freud / WWF
Deep Sea Mining
A growing threat due to rising demand for minerals like magnesium, cobalt and nickel. Mining can devastate fragile ocean ecosystems and wipe out up to 40% of wildlife on the surrounding seabed.
© Mauri Rautkari / WWF
Climate Change
The ocean absorbs over 90% of the heat generated by human activities as well as vast amounts of carbon dioxide – resulting in warmer waters with decreased oxygen levels and increased acidity.
HOPE ON THE HORIZON
The High Seas Treaty is a huge opportunity for us to help implement vital conservation measures – including the creation of global networks of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) – to safeguard marine biodiversity, reduce overfishing, and regulate destructive industries.
BUT WE CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU
Your gift can help us provide the scientific expertise required to implement essential ocean protection, including mapping migration corridors for whales and turtles, so we can identify the best locations to establish marine protected areas.
© naturepl.com / Mary McDonald / WWF
The Extraordinary Blue Beyond
© Jürgen Freund / WWF
Sustaining Life
The high seas harbour remarkable yet fragile ecosystems and an astonishing treasure trove of life – from blue whales and basking sharks to marine turtles, deep-water corals and sargassum seaweed.
© Shutterstock / Ajit S N / WWF
Storing Carbon
The ocean is one of the world’s most effective carbon stores. The high seas help regulate Earth’s climate by absorbing heat and carbon dioxide and redistributing warmth through ocean currents.
© Martin Harvey / WWF
Supporting People
The high seas are vital to global food systems and the wellbeing of millions of people due to their connection to coastal waters and the wildlife and nutrients that move freely between them.
Oceans of Experience
© VDOS Global / WWF-Canada
© Tom Vierus / WWF-Pacific
Blue corridors
In 2022, WWF and partners collated 30 years of satellite tracking data for over 1,000 migratory whales to launch the Protecting Blue Corridors report and platform – the first-ever global visualisation of whale migration routes. The initiative identified emerging threats and supports global conservation efforts to protect blue corridors and whale species. With the Guardians’ support, we can use this information to identify priority locations for high seas MPAs and guide critical treaty decisions.
Shellbank
Our Blue Corridors for Turtles initiative uses data from Shellbank – the world’s first marine turtle DNA database, created by WWF and partners. It identifies distinct and threatened turtle populations and provides evidence from over 50 countries to support the establishment of Important Marine Turtle Areas. In Fiji, WWF supported volunteers map and monitor turtle nesting sites and tag turtles with satellite tracking devices. The findings will further enhance existing data on migration patterns to assist MPA development.
PACIFIC PROTECTION
Every year a distinct blue whale population – known for their unique ‘two toned’ song - migrates through the high seas to the shores of southern Chile. To help protect them and other species, WWF-Chile are satellite-tagging individual whales to gather vital evidence of their migratory patterns. This information will help support the creation of an MPA in the high seas between Easter Island and northern Peru.
If agreed, this crucial MPA could be one of the first established under the High Seas Treaty.
Click below and turn up the volume to hear the unique vocalisations of this astonishing blue whale population.
© naturepl.com / Franco Banfi / WWF
JOIN THE WWF GUARDIANS
The High Seas Treaty is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make a lasting difference. Please stand with us to protect the incredible high seas – the ocean’s blue heart – for marine life, people and the future of our world by donating and becoming a Guardian today.
© Antonio Busiello / WWF-US
As a WWF Guardian you’ll receive updates on how your support is helping our vital conservation work around the world and occasional invites to exclusive events to hear about the work you’re helping to fund from WWF experts. If you’d prefer not to receive these communications, please let us know.