科学家们在国际水域的海山上发现了古老的珊瑚和海绵,敦促保护他们免受拖网捕捞。 Scientists found ancient corals and sponges on a seamount in international waters, urging protection from trawling.

科学家们在由南太平洋区域渔管组织管理的国际水域区域Howe Rise勋爵的一座以前未经探索的海山上发现了古代深海珊瑚和海绵。 Scientists have discovered ancient deep-sea corals and sponges on a previously uncharted seamount in the Lord Howe Rise, an international waters region managed by SPRFMO. 2025年3月的视频调查揭示了59个物种,约100多岁,近2米高,45%的分析图像显示脆弱海洋生态系统。 Video surveys from March 2025 revealed over 59 species, some over 100 years old and nearly 2 meters tall, with 45% of analyzed images indicating vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs). 尽管新西兰提议增加脆弱物种的可允许副渔获物,但调查结果更强烈地要求长期保护,防止破坏性的底拖网捕捞。 The findings strengthen calls for permanent protection from destructive bottom trawling, despite New Zealand’s proposal to increase allowable bycatch of vulnerable species. 国际规则和养护团体敦促南太平洋渔管组织维持2024年的拖网暂停,并考虑根据《全球海洋条约》将该区域纳入全球海洋保护区。 International rules and conservation groups urge SPRFMO to maintain the 2024 trawling pause and consider the area for inclusion in a global ocean sanctuary under the Global Ocean Treaty.