As a result of the growing ecological awareness as regards deep-sea ecosystems (seamounts, hydro-thermal vents, deep-sea coral reefs), these environments are now considered priority habitats by the OSPAR Convention and are top priorities on the agendas of the UN General Assembly and its consultative bodies. Although knowledge of deep-sea ecosystems is still limited, we know that some of them are important and extremely sensitive and vulnerable centres of marine biodiversity.
En dépit de notre méconnaissance relative des écosystèmes des profondeurs, nous savons que certains d’entre eux constituent des foyers de biodiversité marine importants, extrêmement sensibles et vulnérables.
