After two weeks of negotiations in New York, the United Nations has, for the first time, adopted a unified treaty to safeguard biodiversity in the high seas.

Around two-thirds of the ocean and half of the planet’s surface are covered by the high seas.

The treaty will create a new body to manage conservation of ocean life and establish marine protected areas in regions of the ocean outside national boundary waters.

Additionally, the accord specifies guidelines for performing environmental effect analyses of commercial activities at sea.

Many marine species, such as dolphins, whales, and sea turtles, travel great distances every year when migrating across international boundaries and open waters.

Via Twitter, Greenpeace Canada said “this is huge – it’s the biggest conservation victory ever.”