France, Sept. 29 -- For centuries prior to modern conservation efforts, indigenous communities cared for the oceans with a fundamentally different philosophy - treating marine environments as family rather than a commodity. With the UN High Seas Treaty set to come into force in January, their knowledge is being formally recognised in the governance of international waters for the first time.

Sixty ratifications pushed the treaty over the line, with Morocco's kick-starting the 120-day countdown to 17 January.

The treaty offers a tool for nations to create marine protected areas (MPAs) - central to the goal of safeguarding 30 percent of the ocean by 2030.

It also recognises indigenous knowledge, and requires "free, prior and informed con...