What's Happening?
A proposal to phase out bottom trawling on seamounts in international waters by December 31, 2027, was withdrawn during negotiations for the UN General Assembly’s Sustainable Fisheries Resolution. Armenia, the country that introduced the language, pulled
the proposal after facing significant opposition led by Japan. Other nations opposing the measure included the European Union, Russia, the United States, and Australia. Supporters of the deadline included Monaco, the United Kingdom, Canada, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Fiji, Vanuatu, and Tuvalu. The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) reported that Armenia withdrew the text to avoid a veto or amendments that would have weakened its intent. While the specific deadline was removed, some language regarding the protection of seamounts from destructive fishing, referencing a Convention on Migratory Species resolution and earlier General Assembly commitments on vulnerable marine ecosystems, remains in the negotiated text. The final resolution is expected to be formally adopted by the General Assembly in December.
Why It's Important?
The withdrawal of this proposal highlights the ongoing conflict between marine conservation efforts and the economic interests of major fishing nations. Seamounts, underwater mountains, are critical biodiversity hotspots supporting slow-growing corals and sponges that can take thousands of years to develop. Bottom trawling, a fishing method that drags heavy nets across the seabed, can destroy these ecosystems in a single pass, with studies showing little recovery even decades later. The opposition from countries like Japan, the EU, the U.S., and Australia underscores their reliance on deep-sea fishing practices, which they argue should be managed by regional fisheries management organizations rather than through global moratoriums. This outcome represents a setback for environmental groups and scientists who advocate for stronger global protections for vulnerable marine ecosystems, as only 1.5% of known seamounts are currently protected from bottom trawling. The decision also reflects the challenges in achieving consensus on international environmental regulations when economic and sovereignty concerns are at play.
What's Next?
The final resolution, without the specific 2027 deadline for phasing out bottom trawling on seamounts, will be formally adopted by the UN General Assembly in December. Following this, the first Conference of the Parties to the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement) is scheduled to take place from January 11 to 22, 2027, at UN Headquarters in New York. The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) intends to use this conference to hold governments that opposed the seamount protection to account. The BBNJ Agreement, which entered into force on January 17, 2026, is expected to be a platform for states to discuss initial proposals for high-seas protected areas and decide on the location of the treaty's secretariat. This upcoming conference will be a crucial venue for further discussions on high-seas biodiversity protection, potentially reigniting debates on the regulation of destructive fishing practices in international waters.
Beyond the Headlines
The debate over bottom trawling on seamounts extends beyond immediate environmental concerns, touching upon broader issues of international governance, scientific consensus, and economic equity. The argument from fishing nations that regional bodies are better suited to manage these fisheries raises questions about the effectiveness and consistency of regional versus global regulatory frameworks. While some regional closures exist, such as in the Northwest Atlantic, conservationists argue that coverage is inconsistent and insufficient globally. The withdrawal of Armenia's proposal, despite widespread scientific support for protecting seamounts, highlights the power dynamics within international negotiations, where economic leverage can outweigh scientific evidence and environmental urgency. This situation also underscores the ethical dilemma of exploiting fragile deep-sea ecosystems for short-term economic gain versus preserving them for long-term ecological health and biodiversity. The ongoing struggle reflects a larger pattern in international environmental policy, where the precautionary principle often clashes with established industrial practices.
