Fiji, Aug. 13 -- A landmark treaty to protect biodiversity on the high seas has entered into force, but scientists warn that much of the deep-sea life it seeks to conserve remains unknown.

The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, which entered into force earlier this year after being ratified by more than 60 states, establishes the first legally binding global framework for conserving and sustainably using marine biodiversity beyond national waters. But researchers say effective implementation depends on identifying and monitoring species that remain unknown to science.

Speaking during a seminar on Taxonomy and Biodiversity in the Deep Sea, Research Scientist Dr Tammy Horton said identifying species is essential f...