Seamounts—underwater mountains—are irreplaceable oases of biodiversity in the deep ocean, covering almost a quarter of the world’s seafloor and supporting countless habitats and species. More than half of all known seamounts are located in the high seas.
The Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) represents an important step forward in the protection of these ecosystems. But the success of the Agreement depends on the commitment of States and regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) to phase out destructive practices on seamounts and other vulnerable habitats, and to apply consistent conservation measures globally.
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