Scientific evidence presented at last week’s UN Bottom Fisheries Workshop (13-14 July, New York) shows that existing measures have not prevented ongoing damage to seamounts and other vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems. The findings reinforce the DSCC’s call for governments to lock in a firm 2027 deadline to end bottom trawling on high seas seamounts.
The workshop brought together leading experts in marine science, fisheries management and international ocean policy to assess progress in implementing UN General Assembly resolutions calling for the protection of seamounts and other vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) from destructive bottom fishing.
The findings will inform the UN Bottom Fisheries Review and the 2026 UN General Assembly negotiations, where governments will decide whether to strengthen implementation of two decades of commitments to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems in the high seas.
Key takeaways from the workshop
- Current protections are failing to prevent long-lasting harm
Scientific evidence presented at the workshop showed that bottom trawling on seamounts causes significant adverse impacts, including destroying fragile coral and sponge habitats that have taken centuries to develop and may take centuries to millennia to recover. Existing approaches have not prevented ongoing damage to vulnerable seamount habitats. - Seamounts are critical biodiversity hotspots
Seamounts provide essential habitat for vulnerable species, support connections between marine life across ocean basins and contribute to ocean resilience in the face of the climate crisis. Protecting these ecosystems is increasingly urgent as pressures on the ocean continue to grow. - Protecting seamounts would deliver far-reaching benefits
Ending bottom trawling on high seas seamounts would help safeguard irreplaceable deep-sea ecosystems while supporting ocean health, fisheries resilience and climate resilience. - Governments face a key decision in 2026
The upcoming UN Bottom Fisheries Review and 2026 UN General Assembly negotiations provide an important opportunity for governments to strengthen protections for vulnerable marine ecosystems and ensure that long-standing commitments translate into meaningful action.
While some governments and regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) argue that existing management measures are sufficient to protect VMEs, the evidence presented at the workshop shows that current approaches have not stopped the destruction of vulnerable seamount habitats.
Bronwen Golder, DSCC Seamounts Campaign Director said:
Governments now have the evidence before them that the destruction of vulnerable marine ecosystems by bottom trawling is the norm, not the exception. The question is whether they will now act to secure lasting protection for these irreplaceable ecosystems.
The science shows that urgent and stronger action is needed. Governments now have the opportunity to secure lasting protection for seamounts and the life-support services these unique ecosystems provide across the ocean. By safeguarding these underwater mountains, we can protect the foundations of a healthy and resilient ocean.