Team at the UN Bottom Fisheries workshop. From left to right: Matthew Gianni (DSCC), Amy Irvine (Oceans North), Dr Gabrielle Carmine (Georgetown University), Katie Schleit (Oceans North), Kat Goddard (Greenpeace New Zeland), Dr Amy Baco-Taylor (Florida State University), Ingrid Benschikova (Pew), Eunhee Kim (CORI); Sebastian Losada (Greenpeace International), Rae McKinney (NRDC).

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.

A large piece of Paragorgia coral is hauled aboard the New Zealand bottom trawler, Waipori. © Greenpeace | Malcolm Pullman

Leading scientists, policymakers and civil society organizations will gather from 13-14 July for a critical UN workshop that could determine the future of more than 21% of the world's seabed. As part of the 2026 UN Bottom Fisheries Review, the workshop will evaluate how governments and regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) are implementing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolutions to protect seamounts from destructive fishing practices.

Satellite image of Madeira by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite

Portugal announced the D. Carlos I Marine Natural Reserve at the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Kenya, now being finalized with Madeira. Covering 173,000 square km, it will include the Gorringe Bank, the Madeira–Torre geological complex, and the Josephine seamount complex — a continental shelf area beyond 200 nautical miles currently regulated by NEAFC.

2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones: New England and Corner Rise. NOAA

Released on World Ocean Day, the United Nations’ Third World Ocean Assessment paints a stark picture of a deep ocean vital to planetary survival but under siege from industrial pressure and the impacts of the climate crisis.  

© Greenpeace | Malcolm Pullman

The New Zealand Parliament is considering several short-sighted amendments to the National Fisheries Act 1996 that would expand industry influence over fisheries management, bypass vital public oversight and undermine ocean protection goals.

Image Credit: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute. CC BY-NC-SA

The UN Bottom Fisheries Workshop in July 2026 marks a critical moment for deep-sea protection. Learn how bottom trawling threatens seamounts and what the international community must do to stop it.

The 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) concluded with widespread support for a resolution and decision on prioritizing the protection of seamount ecosystems. Parties also reaffirmed the need for precaution with regards to deep-sea mining and for the industry not to proceed as long as scientific gaps remain.

Image Credit: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute. CC BY-NC-SA

The High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement) introduces new tools to safeguard the deep ocean’s extraordinary life and the critical services it provides. Learn more about the High Seas Treaty, what it means for the deep sea, challenges to overcome and opportunities for the future of ocean conservation. 

© Greenpeace | Malcolm Pullman

New Zealand - the only country still bottom trawling on seamounts of the South Pacific high seas - has submitted a proposal which would significantly increase the amount of coral and other deep-sea species that can be destroyed as bycatch without consequence. The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition’s members have written to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon demanding the immediate withdrawal of the proposal.

Asteroschema bidwillae snake stars on plexaurid coral at the Southern Kermadec Ridge Seamount – (CC) NIWA

As COP30 concluded in Belém, Brazil, a noticeable shift in broad ocean ambition was observed. However, the deep sea - one of our planet’s most vital carbon stores and a key climate regulator - remained largely absent from the negotiations.