UN member states will gather in New York next week to hammer out a long-awaited treaty that, if agreed, will govern the planet’s last, lawless wilderness: the high seas.

Two hundred nautical miles beyond the territorial waters and jurisdiction of nations, the high seas have been treated “recklessly”, according to environmental groups.

Warning that the outcome of the talks – which run from Monday until 26 August, will determine the fate of the ocean for generations, they are urging world leaders to agree to an ambitious, legally binding treaty to protect marine life and to reverse biodiversity loss.

“The high seas epitomise the tragedy of the commons,” said Marco Lambertini director general of WWF International. “Because they don’t belong to anyone, they have been treated recklessly with impunity. We need a common governance mechanism for our oceans to ensure that nobody’s waters become everyone’s waters – and everyone’s responsibility.”

To read Guardian coverage of this story click here