The approval of a high seas treaty means new protections will be possible for international waters for the first time. It’s the first legally binding agreement aimed at protecting marine biodiversity in waters that lie beyond the jurisdiction of any single country. That’s nearly two-thirds of the ocean. And they need it — the high seas are under growing pressure from overfishing, climate change and the threat of deep-sea mining. Nations will be required to meet within a year of the treaty taking effect to lay the groundwork for implementing it.