An informative graphic by NOAA Ocean Exploration highlighting seamounts as underwater mountains rich in diverse life forms, emphasizing their role in a healthy and resilient ocean.

Seamounts are vast underwater mountains, home to deep-sea corals, sharks, whales & fish. They’re biodiversity hotspots but destructive bottom trawling puts them at risk of irreversible damage.

#ProtectSeamounts
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Image of a deep-sea coral ecosystem with various species of coral, including sea fans, growing on a rocky underwater slope. The environment is dark with the coral highlighted against the background.

In 2004, 1,000+ scientists called on the UN to protect seamounts from destructive fishing.

20 years later, bottom trawling still threatens these unique deep-sea ecosystems.

Scientists: add your name to the renewed call for action #ProtectSeamounts
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📷 @noaa.gov

The deep sea makes up 90% of the marine environment, but just 5% of the ocean is estimated to have been explored. There is still so much to discover, but what we know is that it is crucial that we protect this environment. 🪼🐙

#DefendTheDeep #ProtectSeamounts

#Seamounts support the health of the entire ocean—they are our #OceanLifelines. But these underwater mountains are under threat from #BottomTrawling, as exposed by Sir David Attenborough's OCEAN.

Learn more about how we’re working to #ProtectSeamounts:
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The Orange Roughy fishery is collapsing in New Zealand.

These are the demands for the New Zealand Government. Have your say by 28th July to save this species!

The Orange Roughy population is collapsing!

The New Zealand government is now consulting on proposed changes to catch limits and potentially closing an area to fishing.

🗣️ Have your say by 28 July.
Call for a ban on bottom trawling to #ProtectSeamounts: buff.ly/wBK06CY

Seamounts need stronger protection. 95+ scientists have already signed an open letter asking States and the UN for strong commitments to #ProtectSeamounts from destructive fishing.

Are you a scientist? Add your name today! ↩️
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@oceanipso.bsky.social @savingoceans.bsky.social

The Lord Howe Rise, one of the suggested High Seas #MPAs under the #BBNJ Treaty, is a vulnerable target to destructive fishing methods.

The Treaty presents an opportunity to #ProtectSeamounts, biodiversity hotspots home to unique habitats and deep-sea species, and carbon sequestration reservoirs.

A new study of a New Zealand seamount finds, even after decades of damage, heavily trawled seamounts still hold ecological value.

These findings strengthen the case for permanently protecting all seamounts, not just those untouched by bottom trawling. buff.ly/uYGHr6b
#ProtectSeamounts

The murals bring the hidden world of seamounts to life - sites of life, wonder, and global importance, deserving our utmost care to preserve the ocean’s health and resilience. #ProtectSeamounts #OceanLifelines

Ocean Lifelines: Seamounts, Science, and the Path Forward for 2025 - DSCC Blog: 2024 was a year of progress, fueled by strong partnerships, emerging science, and a growing global commitment to deep-sea conservation.

This is a pivotal year to #ProtectSeamounts, our #OceanLifelines.

Read below our 2025 reflections on #seamounts protection and see how you can support our campaign. 👇

Media Release: UN Ocean Conference Shines a Light on the Deep Sea: Now, Time for Action - DSCC NICE, FRANCE – PRESS RELEASE, 13 JUNE, 2025   The 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) concluded today in Nice, France, with the deep sea placed firmly at the heart of international ocean governance. From ...

As #UNOC3 ends in Nice, momentum to #DefendTheDeep is growing:

✔️ 37 countries back a #DeepSeaMining moratorium
✔️ The European Court of Justice upholds bottom-contact fishing ban
✔️ Scientists urge action to #ProtectSeamounts

Now governments must act: deep-sea-conservation.org/un-ocean-con...

🎨The beautiful seamounts mural is one of #UNOC3 Day 2 highlights!

On Med Day, we brought deep-sea ecosystems to life at the Centre Universitaire Méditerranéen. The mural is a vibrant reminder of what’s at stake and why bottom trawling must end. #ProtectSeamounts

Protecting seamounts is about more than conserving biodiversity - it’s about ocean health, food security & climate resilience.

On Mediterranean Day at #UNOC3, we remind States that Life Below Water GOES DEEP and we urge them to #ProtectSeamounts from destructive fishing practices.

As #UNOC3 kicks off in Nice, global scientists are calling on the UN to protect deep-sea seamounts from bottom trawl fishing in a new letter. The science is clear: the time for action is now.

Read the full proclamation: buff.ly/2hpyYWm
#ProtectSeamounts #OceanLifeLines #DefendTheDeep

Promotional image for the film "Ocean with David Attenborough," showing David Attenborough in a blue jacket standing in front of a bright coastal backdrop. The film's release date, May 8, appears at the bottom.

David Attenborough’s OCEAN reveals the hidden destruction of the deep sea—where industrial bottom trawling wipes out fragile ecosystems on ancient seamounts.

Read our Seamounts Campaign Director reflections ⤵️
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#ProtectSeamounts #OceanLifelines #BiodiversityDay

The world must act now to safeguard the Pacific’s last wild frontiers As the High Seas Treaty stalls, an opportunity to protect one of the Pacific’s most fragile ecosystems is emerging, writes Felipe Paredes of Oceana Chile

🐠🐙 #Seamounts in the Southeast Pacific Ocean are among the most ecologically rich places on Earth. However, these ecosystems are threatened by industrial fishing.

At #SPRFMO, govts took a step forward but immediate action is needed. #ProtectSeamounts @dialogueearth.bsky.social #MPAs

🎨 On #DeepDay, we celebrated seamounts at the Lord Howe Rise and South Tasman Sea Symposium with an outstanding mural created by the Chilean artist #PayoSochting and Bla! Art Collective, illustrating their rich biodiversity and aboriginal knowledge and art. 🌊⛰️
#ProtectSeamounts

This #DeepDay, we must turn science & traditional knowledge that help us understand the #DeepSea into action.

Ending bottom trawling on #seamounts is 1️⃣ of the clearest actions governments can take to breathe life back into our ocean. bit.ly/44po3Aj

#ProtectSeamounts @seamounty.bsky.social

Attenborough at 99: naturalist ‘goes further than before’ to speak out against industrial fishing in new film The celebrated presenter warns of ‘modern day colonialism at sea’ as he highlights the destruction caused by overfishing and bottom trawling

Ahead of the premiere of his latest documentary "Ocean", Sir David Attenborough exposes the impact of #BottomTrawling on our ocean.

In his interview to @theguardian.com he calls for urgent action to protect our seas before it's too late. #ProtectSeamounts

First images of coral destruction from our Seamount Expedition When we set out to explore the secrets of the deep sea on our Seamount Expedition, our aim was to survey seamounts, or underwater mountains, using specialist deep sea cameras,…

🚨 @greenpeace.org.nz exposes coral graveyards in the Tasman Sea—devastated by New Zealand's 🇳🇿 bottom trawling fleets, one of the biggest threats to ocean health in local and in international waters between NZ and Australia.

This destructive practice must be banned. #ProtectSeamounts

Media Release: Korean Government announces protection commitments to seamounts on the high seas, laying the foundation for an effective High Seas Treaty - DSCC At the 10th Our Ocean Conference, the Korean Government announces protection commitments to seamounts on the high seas

Good news from #OurOcean2025! The Republic of Korea🇰🇷 committed to enhancing #HighSeas protections, including supporting #MPAs in the Emperor Seamount Chain & Salas y Gómez and Nazca Ridge. A great step forward to #ProtectSeamounts!

asteroschema_bidwillae_snake_stars_on_plexaurid_coral Snake stars on plexaurid coral at the Southern Kermadec Ridge Seamount – NIWA

DYK that in the Pacific lies the Emperor Seamount Chain, which could be designated as one of the High Seas #MPAs under the #BBNJ Treaty?

The first BBNJ PrepCom will lay strong groundwork to bring the Treaty to life and #ProtectSeamounts.
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📷 NIWA

🐟 VOTE TODAY to protect Orange Roughy, the fish of the year, not catch of the day! mountainstosea.org.nz/fishoftheyea...

#ProtectSeamounts #DefendTheDeep

Seamounts of the South Pacific - DSCC The South Pacific region, covering a quarter of the Earth’s high seas, is a treasure trove of biodiversity and a nexus of cultural heritage.

🚨 These ancient habitats can take centuries to recover, yet this destructive practice continues.

The DSCC calls on #SPRFMO Members to ensure adequate protection of #seamounts and #VMEs to prevent significant adverse impacts. #ProtectSeamounts
deep-sea-conservation.org/seamounts-of...

‘Wrong side of history’: NZ makes controversial bid for Australia’s orange roughy quota New Zealand is among 17 nations meeting in Chile to negotiate high seas fishing policy.

"New Zealand is fast becoming a pariah for its destructive fishing practices. It now wants to catch Australia’s quota of orange roughy and increase limits for how much deep-sea coral bottom trawlers take." - former NZ Prime Minister @helenclarknz.bsky.social. #ProtectSeamounts
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More than 20 years ago countries came together at #CBD to adopt a resolution to protect deep-sea ecosystems from destructive fishing practices but #seamounts remain at risk.

Last year we launched our campaign #OceanLifeLines to #ProtectSeamounts.
More ℹ️ deep-sea-conservation.org/solutions/pr...

Over 110 #seamounts in the Salas y Gómez and Nazca Ridges host endangered species.

These #seamounts are vital habitats, but #ClimateChange & destructive fishing practices threaten them ⚠️ #ProtectSeamounts
📷 @schmidtocean.bsky.social

deep-sea-conservation.org/seamounts-of...

NZ rebuked for behaviour at fisheries forum Shane Jones hits back, saying it’s “not tolerable” to expect NZ to cede influence in the Pacific.

“The world is moving forward and starting to protect international waters. That takes international collaboration but New Zealand🇳🇿 is showing it is not capable of collaborating” DSCC's Karli Thomas.

At this #SPRFMO, we need States to #ProtectSeamounts. www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...

Seamounts are our ocean's lifelines Seamounts support the health of the ocean, but they are under threat from bottom trawling. When you damage seamounts, you damage the ocean. Will you stand up...

#Seamounts support the health of the ocean—they are our #OceanLifelines. But these underwater mountains are under threat from #BottomTrawling.

Learn more about how we’re working to #ProtectSeamounts:
➡️ https://buff.ly/4jsFTHS

We need stronger enforcement and more closures to fully protect vulnerable marine ecosystems, like #seamounts.

#OceanLifelines #ProtectSeamounts #DefendTheDeep
📷 @schmidtocean.bsky.social