What to know about the new U.N. high seas treaty — and the next steps for the accord

Overfishing and poaching have been detrimental to marine wildlife, including the Shkodra's lake, a body of water that straddles Albania and Montenegro, which is shown above. (Gent Shkullaku/AFP via Getty Images)

After nearly two decades of planning and negotiations, members of the United Nations have agreed on an international treaty to protect biodiversity in international waters, which cover nearly two-thirds of the ocean.

The agreement, finalized late Saturday, lays the groundwork for global collaboration to tackle the ocean's persistent threats like biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change.