Commentary: Urgent need for ocean-monitoring technologies as High Seas Treaty comes into force

“The High Seas Treaty finally comes into force on 17 January 2026, after decades of negotiation. Building on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Treaty will begin to fill a major gap in international law by aiming to protect ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction.

“Formal adoption of the Treaty brings both rights and responsibilities. While Parties gain a seat at the table where new Marine Protected Areas are established and decisions on the equitable sharing of benefits are made, there will also be a duty to protect those areas. 

“However, tracking conditions or changes in areas far out in the high seas, or across internationally coordinated Marine Protected Areas, would require significant resources if only standard approaches are adopted. For any country – especially least developed countries and Small Island Developing States – monitoring waters under national jurisdiction is already challenging, raising concerns about how much more difficult it will be to monitor a new Marine Protected Area.

“More than ever, efficient monitoring systems that can quickly collect data and provide snapshots of current conditions, while minimising the need for patrol resources, are essential for tracking change, assessing enforcement, understanding the impact of conservation efforts and improving marine and climate models that support evidence-based decision-making.

“At the Surrey Space Centre, our Maritime Domain Awareness tool, NEREUS, has shown how satellite technology can support ocean protection by building historical snapshots, detecting unusual vessel activity and identifying potential infringements of Marine Protected Areas. But more effort from space agencies is needed, as we are currently limited by the lack of long-term, systematic satellite data over the oceans, unlike the extensive coverage available over land.

“The time is now to ensure that marine technologies and innovations are applied where they are most needed globally, and that good intentions are followed by responsible commitments.”