United Nations reach landmark accord to protect marine life on the high seas

President Higgins said the agreement was 'a gain for the future of humanity.'

Many marine species, including sea turtles, make long annual migrations, crossing national borders and the high seas (Alamy/PA

A historic agreement to protect the world’s oceans has been reached following years of negotiations.

For the first time, United Nations members have agreed on a unified treaty to protect biodiversity in the high seas – nearly half the planet’s surface.