The Deep Sea Is Finally on the Global Agenda. Now Governments Must Be Held Accountable

By Sian Owen, Executive Director, Deep Sea Conservation Coalition

At the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, the deep sea shifted from the margins to the heart of global ocean policy. This fragile and vital part of our planet, the largest living space on Earth, is finally receiving the urgent attention it deserves.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres opened the conference warning that the deep sea must not become the “Wild West” of the ocean. His call was echoed throughout the week in plenary sessions, side events, and high-level dialogues. From long-standing threats like bottom trawling to mounting risks from deep-sea mining, the momentum in Nice reflected growing global commitment to protect one of the ocean’s most biodiverse and vulnerable ecosystems.

David Attenborough’s new Ocean documentary brought the devastation of bottom trawling into sharp focus, exposing destruction that has long gone unseen. In response, several governments used the conference to announce new bans on bottom trawling in marine protected areas. 

This is a welcome step forward, but governments must go further. On the eve of the conference, the DSCC, Marine Conservation Institute, and IPSO launched a new Seamount Proclamation. Backed by over 90 scientists so far, it calls on States to fully implement their commitments to protect vulnerable ecosystems like seamounts from destructive fishing. In the deep sea, recovery from trawling can take hundreds to thousands of years – if it happens at all. On Med Day, the DSCC collaborated with Chilean mural artist Payo Söchting, part of the Bla! collective, to create a vibrant mural, that celebrates the rich biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea and highlights the urgent need to protect its unique seamount ecosystems.

With the UN General Assembly set to review deep-sea fishing regulations in 2026, governments must act now to close vulnerable ecosystems to bottom trawling (which has been destroying seamounts for 60+ years) and meet their long-standing international obligations.

Deep-sea mining was also high on the agenda. During the conference, 4 new countries called for a moratorium or precautionary pause, bringing the total to 37. French President Emmanuel Macron warned of the dangers of deep-sea mining, calling it “madness” to launch an economic activity so “predatory” that it would disrupt and destroy the seabed and biodiversity, whilst releasing unknown amounts of carbon. 

As negotiations resume at the International Seabed Authority Council and Assembly meetings in July, ISA member states must work together to build the international consensus needed to keep the deep seabed off-limits to irreversible harm.

The conference also marked a major milestone for international ocean governance with the number of countries ratifying the High Seas Treaty reaching 50. Just ten more are needed for it to enter into force. The upcoming Preparatory Commission meeting in August will be critical to ensuring the Treaty is ready to be effectively implemented. If governments deliver on its promise, the Treaty could become a cornerstone of global efforts to protect marine biodiversity beyond national borders, including in the deep ocean.

Discussions throughout the week recognized that science alone is not enough. Indigenous and traditional knowledge must be respected, valued, and fully integrated into decision-making. These knowledge systems offer crucial insights into ocean health, resilience, and long-term stewardship. Through the DSCC’s new Knowledge Hub, we aim to support the sharing and strengthening of both scientific and traditional knowledge, which are essential to securing the future of the deep sea.

Above all, the conference reinforced the need for international cooperation. The threats facing the deep ocean, from industrial fishing to seabed exploitation demand bold, united global action.

The opportunity is here and the world is watching. What governments do next will shape the future of the deep sea for generations to come. The DSCC will continue working to ensure those decisions lead to real and lasting protection.