Nations secure U.N. global high seas biodiversity pact

Negotiators from more than 100 countries completed a U.N. treaty to protect the high seas on Saturday, a long-awaited step that environmental groups say will help reverse marine biodiversity losses and ensure sustainable development. "The ship has reached the shore," the U.N. conference president, Rena Lee, said after a marathon final day of talks. Very little of the high seas is subject to any protection, with pollution, acidification and overfishing posing a growing threat. Very little of the high seas is subject to any protection, with pollution, acidification and overfishing posing a growing threat. "The clock is still ticking to deliver 30 by 30.