Name: Making law on the high seas
Uploaded: 2010-11-19T14:03:13Z
Duration: 15 min 29 s
Description: Kristina Gjerde studies the law of the high seas -- the 64 percent of our ocean that isn't protected by any national law at all. Gorgeous photos show the hidden worlds that Gjerde and other lawyers are working to protect from trawling and trash-dumping, through smart policymaking and a healthy dose of PR.

Kristina Gjerde studies the law of the high seas -- the 64 percent of our ocean that isn't protected by any national law at all. Gorgeous photos show the hidden worlds that Gjerde and other lawyers are working to protect from trawling and trash-dumping, through smart policymaking and a healthy dose of PR.

Making law on the high seas

Half of our planet lies beyond national borders, yet these high seas remain largely unprotected and vulnerable to overexploitation. Giant garbage patches now cover areas twice the size of Texas, and unique habitats like the Sargasso and Ross Seas face unprecedented threats. Through cooperation, science, and international law, communities have already safeguarded 100 million square kilometers of seabed. Achieving lasting ocean health demands scalable solutions and a new sense of shared responsibility.