Bottom Trawling Devastates Seamount Ecosystems—Is a Global Ban Finally Coming?

Tens of thousands of seamounts—underwater mountains that rise from the ocean floor—are hotspots of marine biodiversity, yet they are being ravaged by bottom trawling. This destructive fishing method drags heavy nets across the seafloor, crushing ancient corals, sponges, and other slow-growing life that can take centuries to recover. A few seamounts break the surface, like the Hawaiian Islands, but most remain hidden deep below the waves, making their destruction invisible to most people. Scientists warn that once these ecosystems are gone, they may never return. Now, a growing push for international action could finally protect these vital habitats. The United Nations and regional fishery bodies are under pressure to ban bottom trawling on seamounts, and some countries have already closed their waters to the practice. But with fishing interests pushing back, the outcome is far from certain. The fate of these deep-sea oases may be decided in the coming months.