High seas

This report reveals recent discoveries about the beauty, value and vulnerability of life in the deep seas and in the open ocean. It explores what these astonishing findings mean for current oceans governance, what the impacts are of present and potential human activities, and what can be done to promote effective and sustainable management of the riches of the deep and open oceans.

The deep ocean is increasingly recognized as a major global reservoir of the Earth's biodiversity, although but a small fraction of the oceans' ecosystems found at depths below 200 meters have been studied. This report presents findings on the current extent, location and value of high seas bottom trawl fisheries worldwide and the countries involved.

By far the largest habitat for life on earth and the cradle of new species, habitats and undiscovered ecosystems, our oceans are being intensively exploited and heavily degraded. Marine Protected Areas can be used to restore, safeguard and halt the negative impacts on the biodiversity of these oceans.