What are seamounts and why should they be protected from bottom trawling?
Recent science has shown us that large seafloor hills or “seamounts” are actually often mounds resulting from thousands of years of coral growth. When such slow-growing animals are damaged or killed, the years, decades or centuries needed for the corals to recover can open the door for flat-bottom species to take over and push out species that prefer structured habitats. Numerous studies have found that heavily trawled areas suffer biodiversity crashes, particularly in complex habitats. Scientists do not yet fully understand how the trawling-induced impacts on one species will affect other species. The longer we allow bottom trawling to occur in these habitats, the more likely we will lose species that are important for the marine ecosystem, food, medicines, and technological advances.
Related Questions
- Rights of publicity for the actorsQuestion: Is sexually explicit Fan Fiction protected by the First Amendment right to free speech?
- Can information be submitted directly to DoD Components and other Federal entities and be protected under the PCII Program?
- What are seamounts and why should they be protected from bottom trawling?
