Following 10 years of negotiations, nations have finally agreed a deal to protect the world’s oceans.

Under the High Seas Treaty, by 2030 the objective will be to have 30% of all seas in protected areas.

Disagreements on funding and fishing rights had led to the decade-long delay in getting the agreement over the line.

Currently, only 1.2% of high seas are protected – with this agreement marking the first international treaty on oceans since 1982.

Research conducted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) revealed that 10% of all marine species are at risk of extinction due to the impacts of climate change, overfishing and shipping traffic.

Fishing limits, diverted shipping lanes and a block on deep sea mining will be some of the protections implemented through the treaty.

UN Chief António Guterres commented: “This action is a victory for multilateralism and for global efforts to counter the destructive trends facing ocean health, now and for generations to come.”

Greenpeace Oceans Campaigner Laura Meller added: “This is a historic day for conservation and a sign that in a divided world, protecting nature and people can triumph over geopolitics.”