This series of maps was created as part of our work with the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition.  We evaluated the levels of benthic (the lowest level of the ocean) protections in the high seas through the various regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs). Two maps were created for each RFMO to show (1) bottom trawl open areas and closures in relation to "fishable depths" and "fishable seamounts" and (2) bottom trawl open areas and closures in relation to the predicted habitat of two types of deep sea corals which are threatened by destructive bottom trawl fisheries.

How much longer will it take? A ten-year review of the implementation of United Nations General Assembly resolutions 61/105, 64/72 and 66/68 on the management of bottom fisheries in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Gianni, M., Fuller, S.D., Currie, D.E.J., Schleit, K., Goldsworthy, L., Pike, B., Weeber, B., Owen, S., Friedman, A. Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, July 2016.

Visit our interactive online mapper at the MPAtlas High Seas Protection Portal.

The eight RFMOs:

*Data citations at bottom of the page.