Spadone, Aurélie

The purpose of this study on seamount and hydrothermal vent ecosystems is to review the state of knowledge on the subject matter in order to better guide decision-making processes to develop and implement conservation and sustainable management measures, as well as to discuss knowledge gaps and present recommendations. The report also focuses on the South-West Indian Ocean (SWIO) region and describes its specificities in terms of geology and oceanography, quality of available data and knowledge about specific diversity.

The individual and cumulative threats to and effects of the full range of human activities on marine ecosystems and biodiversity in general, and seamounts in particular, in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) are still largely unknown. These threats and their effects must be taken into account in order to be able to develop a robust, holistic ecosystem-based management scheme. This paper compiles and examines existing and potential future threats to seamount ecosystems and biodiversity located in ABNJ of the Indian Ocean.