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The High Seas Treaty spells hope for the ocean, but only if it is powered by science

Nature Reviews Biodiversity volume 2, pages 2–3 (2026)Cite this article

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The new High Seas Treaty presents an unprecedented opportunity to protect and sustainably use the biodiversity in an area that covers nearly half the planet. Jane Lubchenco calls on scientists to help it to succeed by encouraging rapid global ratification, promoting science-based decisions and identifying strong options for effective marine protected areas.

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References

  1. Stephenson, F. et al. Quality of marine protected areas is critical to achieving global biodiversity targets. npj Ocean Sustain. 4, 63 (2025).

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  2. Grorud-Colvert, K. et al. The MPA guide: a framework to achieve global goals for the ocean. Science 373, eabf0861 (2021).

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Acknowledgements

I thank the Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation for their generous funding and Oregon State University for its support of my taking time off to serve multiple roles in the US government: to lead the Climate and Environment Team at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (2021–2025), serve as the inaugural US State Department Science Envoy for the Ocean (2014–2016), and serve as Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2009–2013).

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  1. Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA

    Jane Lubchenco

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  1. Jane Lubchenco
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Correspondence to Jane Lubchenco.

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The author declares no competing interests.

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Dedication

I dedicate this article to the memory of Kristina Gjerde, a long-time champion of the high seas, who died on 26 December 2025.

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Lubchenco, J. The High Seas Treaty spells hope for the ocean, but only if it is powered by science. Nat. Rev. Biodivers. 2, 2–3 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44358-025-00124-y

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