Why the New High Seas Treaty Matters for Ocean Conservation and Cambodia’s Coastline

For a country shaped by water, the ocean has always held deep meaning for Cambodia. Along the Gulf of Thailand, fishing villages rise with the tide, generations earn their livelihoods from the sea, and coastal ecosystems quietly support food security and community life. Today, as the world turns its attention to ocean protection, the new High Seas Treaty carries important implications—not only for distant international waters, but also for Cambodia’s own coastline and marine future.

Seen from a Cambodian perspective, this global agreement is not abstract diplomacy. It is about safeguarding the seas that sustain lives, cultures, and ecosystems at home.

Understanding the High Seas Treaty

The High Seas Treaty, formally known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, is a landmark international accord adopted under the framework of the United Nations. Its purpose is to protect marine biodiversity in areas of the ocean that lie beyond national borders—regions that make up nearly two-thirds of the world’s seas.

For decades, these waters remained largely unregulated, despite facing growing pressure from overfishing, pollution, shipping, and climate change. The treaty introduces new rules for conservation, including marine protected areas, environmental impact assessments, and fair sharing of marine genetic resources.

Why High Seas Protection Matters to Coastal Nations Like Cambodia

At first glance, Cambodia’s waters lie well within national jurisdiction. However, oceans are deeply interconnected. What happens in international waters affects fish stocks, ecosystems, and ocean health closer to shore.

Fish do not recognise borders. Many species migrate between the high seas and coastal zones. When ecosystems far offshore are damaged, coastal fisheries feel the impact. For Cambodian fishing communities, this connection is direct. Declining stocks offshore can mean smaller catches, higher costs, and increased pressure on nearshore resources.

The High Seas Treaty helps address this imbalance by promoting conservation at the source.

Cambodia’s Coastline and Marine Heritage

Cambodia’s coastline, stretching across provinces such as Preah Sihanouk and Koh Kong, is rich in mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and fishing grounds. These ecosystems protect shorelines from erosion, support marine life, and sustain local economies.

In coastal areas near Ream National Park, conservation efforts already highlight the importance of balanced development. The High Seas Treaty complements such national initiatives by reinforcing global responsibility for ocean health.

From a Cambodian viewpoint, protecting the ocean is not a distant environmental goal—it is about preserving food sources, traditions, and livelihoods tied to the sea.

Supporting Sustainable Fisheries

One of the treaty’s most significant contributions is its focus on sustainable use of marine resources. By strengthening oversight in international waters, the agreement aims to reduce overfishing and illegal practices that deplete fish populations.

For Cambodia, where many coastal households depend on small-scale fishing, healthier fish stocks mean greater long-term security. Sustainable fisheries offshore help relieve pressure on coastal waters, allowing ecosystems closer to shore to recover and regenerate.

This balance is essential for ensuring that future generations can continue to rely on the sea.

Climate Change, Oceans, and Coastal Resilience

Climate change poses increasing risks to Cambodia’s coastline, from rising sea levels to stronger storms. Healthy oceans play a crucial role in climate regulation, absorbing carbon and supporting ecosystems that protect coastlines.

The High Seas Treaty recognises the link between biodiversity protection and climate resilience. By conserving large areas of the ocean, the agreement contributes to global efforts to stabilise marine systems.

For Cambodia, stronger oceans mean stronger coastlines—an outcome that supports both environmental and human resilience.

What the Treaty Means for Regional Cooperation

The High Seas Treaty also encourages international cooperation and scientific research. For developing coastal nations, this creates opportunities for capacity building, data sharing, and participation in global marine governance.

Cambodia’s engagement with international ocean frameworks can strengthen its own marine management policies, improve monitoring, and support sustainable coastal development.

From a Cambodian perspective, being part of global solutions reinforces the idea that ocean protection is a shared responsibility.

From Global Policy to Local Impact

While the treaty operates at an international level, its effects are felt locally. Healthier oceans support:

• More stable fisheries
• Stronger coastal ecosystems
• Improved food security
• Sustainable tourism opportunities

For coastal communities in Cambodia, these outcomes shape everyday life. When the sea is protected, livelihoods endure.

Looking Ahead: Why This Moment Matters

The adoption of the High Seas Treaty marks a turning point in global ocean governance. It signals recognition that the ocean’s future cannot be left unmanaged.

For Cambodia, this moment matters because it aligns global action with local needs. It strengthens the protection of marine systems that ultimately support the country’s coastline, communities, and economy.

The new High Seas Treaty is more than an international agreement—it is a promise to protect the oceans that connect all nations. For Cambodia, its significance lies in how global conservation efforts ripple back to coastal waters and fishing communities at home.

Seen through Cambodian eyes, the treaty represents hope: that the sea which has long sustained the nation will continue to do so, protected not only by national efforts, but by shared global responsibility.

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