Restore Ecosystems - Seamounts - Ocean Central
Seamounts are underwater mountains that support some of the ocean’s most unique and biodiverse ecosystems.
By creating upwelling currents, they bring nutrients to the surface, attracting large aggregations of fish, corals, and marine mammals, making them critical biodiversity hotspots and important for fisheries.
Most seamounts remain unmapped, unexplored, and unprotected. As technological advances open new frontiers for extraction, seamounts are increasingly threatened by destructive bottom trawling and emerging interest in deep-sea mining. Without intervention, these unique ecosystems risk irreversible damage.. Learn more through the Seamounts Project.
Key Stats
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100,000
Source: Wessel, P., D.T. Sandwell, and S.-S. Kim. 2010. The global seamount census. Oceanography 23(1):24–33, https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2010.60.Estimated number of seamounts globally – only 32,452 are mapped.
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Pacific Ocean
Source: Yesson, C., Clark, M.R., Taylor, M.L. and Rogers, A.D., 2011. The global distribution of seamounts based on 30 arc seconds bathymetry data. Deep-Sea Research Part I, 58(4), pp.442–453. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/251630097_The_global_distribution_of_seamounts_based_on_30_arc_seconds_bathymetry_dataContains the highest concentration of seamounts.
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~190
Source: Clark, M.R., Rowden, A.A., Schlacher, T., Williams, A., Consalvey, M., Stocks, K.I., Rogers, A.D., O’Hara, T.D., White, M., Shank, T.M. and Hall-Spencer, J.M., 2010. The ecology of seamounts: structure, function, and human impacts. Annual Review of Marine Science, 2, pp.253–278. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21141665/Number of countries with seamounts.
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~40%
Source: Clark, M.R., Althaus, F., Schlacher, T.A., Williams, A., Bowden, D.A. and Rowden, A.A., 2016. The impacts of deep-sea fisheries on benthic communities: a review. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 73(suppl_1), pp.i51–i69. https://academic.oup.com/icesjms/article/73/suppl_1/i51/2573992Seamounts disturbed since 1960.
Yesson C, Clark MR, Taylor M, Rogers AD (2011). The global distribution of seamounts based on 30-second bathymetry data. Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers 58: 442-453. doi: 10.1016/j.dsr.2011.02.004. Data URL: http://data.unep-wcmc.org/datasets/41
Globally, there are 17,212,074 km² of seamounts. Due to their nature, they do not vary in extent, but rather affect the marine life and ecosystems that thrive in them.
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Data Frequency
The number of years of available data.
1Year
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Data Quality
Expired - Does not have any data in the last 10 yearsInsufficient – Does not have any data at all for analysis Expired – Does not have any data in the last 10 years Not Recent – At least one data point in the last 8 to 10 years Recent – At least one data point in the last 7 years Sufficient – At least 2 data points available for trend analysis AND at least one data point in the last 7 years
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Geographic Range
100% of global data avaliableThe percentage of the ocean represented by the available data
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Global Goal(s)
Global Goal(s)None – No Global Goal Established Low – The goal is broad Medium – The goal is specific High – The goal is measurable
There is still so much we do not know about our oceans.
Join us in filling critical gaps in ocean data.
Seamounts face growing pressure from industrial fishing, namely bottom trawling, and emerging deep-sea mining, putting their unique ecosystems and high biodiversity at risk.
Protection is challenging, particularly in areas beyond national jurisdiction, where legal safeguards are limited. Large data gaps remain, as many seamounts are still unmapped or unexplored.
Despite these challenges, momentum is growing through international frameworks, including the Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) treaty, Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs), and deep-sea protection agreements that are beginning to restrict destructive practices. Advancing mapping, monitoring, and protection of seamounts is essential to safeguard deep-sea biodiversity, maintain ecosystem functions, and support global ocean resilience.
Explore where seamounts are most prevalent.
Yesson C, Clark MR, Taylor M, Rogers AD (2011). The global distribution of seamounts based on 30-second bathymetry data. Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers 58: 442-453. doi: 10.1016/j.dsr.2011.02.004. Data URL: http://data.unep-wcmc.org/datasets/41
Flanders Marine Institute (2024). The intersect of the Exclusive Economic Zones and IHO sea areas, version 5. Available online at https://www.marineregions.org/. https://doi.org/10.14284/699
There are approximately 17,212,074 km² of seamounts globally—over 43.74% of which lie within national EEZs.
Track the pressures impacting seamount ecosystems.
Yesson C, Clark MR, Taylor M, Rogers AD (2011). The global distribution of seamounts based on 30-second bathymetry data. Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers 58: 442-453. doi: 10.1016/j.dsr.2011.02.004.
Georgian, S. (2020) If not now, when? Conserving Seamounts on a Global Scale. Marine Conservation Institute. Available at: https://marine-conservation.org/on-the-tide/conserving-seamounts-on-a-global-scale/ (Accessed: December 12 2025).
Globally, approximately 2% of seamounts restrict bottom fishing in waters beyond national jurisdiction.
See where seamounts are safeguarded.
Yesson C, Clark MR, Taylor M, Rogers AD (2011). The global distribution of seamounts based on 30-second bathymetry data. Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers 58: 442-453. doi: 10.1016/j.dsr.2011.02.004.
UNEP-WCMC and IUCN (2026), Protected Planet: The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) and World Database on Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (WD-OECM) [Online], January 2026, Cambridge, UK: UNEP-WCMC and IUCN. Available at: www.protectedplanet.net.
Globally, approximately 16.45% of seamounts lie within established protected areas.
Restoring seamount ecosystems safeguards unique deep-sea biodiversity, helps regulate global climate, creates nutrient-rich upwellings, sequesterssequeesters carbon, provides natural orientation markers for species, and supports ecotourism activities.
Taking Action
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 Expand Marine Protected Areas
Expanding and enforcing MPAs that include seamounts is crucial for protecting these ecosystems. Aligning these efforts with global conservation goals like the 30x30 initiative will help preserve seamount biodiversity.
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Implement Sustainable Fishing Practices
Restrict or ban destructive fishing techniques such as bottom trawling within seamount areas. Implement sustainable practices where fishing is allowed.
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Regulate Deep-Sea Mining
Enforce a global moratorium on deep-sea mining in seamount ecosystems until comprehensive environmental assessments are conducted, and strong regulations are in place.
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Mitigate Climate Change
Recognize seamounts as valuable carbon sinks and include them in climate mitigation strategies.
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Marine Spatial Planning
Developing plans that consider seamounts as geographical entities and vital ecosystems will help ensure ecological resilience.
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Reduce PollutionÂ
Reduce plastic and chemical runoff reaching seamounts by improving coastal waste management practices. Remove debris from seamount areas and enforce international agreements like MARPOL to reduce marine pollution.
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Active Restoration
Support restoration projects such as coral and sponge replanting, reducing sediment runoff, and managing coastal development. Techniques like artificial reefs and coral transplantation can help regenerate damaged ecosystems.
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Engage Local Communities
Involve local communities in restoration efforts to ensure long-term success and stewardship of seamounts.
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 Establish Financial Incentives
Establishing blue carbon credit programs that recognize seamounts as carbon sinks can incentivize conservation and restoration efforts.
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Strengthen Policies
International agreements like the High Seas Treaty need effective enforcement to protect seamount ecosystems. Collaboration between regional bodies and nations is essential for coordinated seamount conservation.
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Research and Monitoring
Supporting ongoing research will help us better understand seamount ecosystems and the impacts of human activities. Enhanced data collection and monitoring will guide future conservation strategies.
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 International Collaboration
Fostering partnerships among governments, NGOs, and international bodies will help ensure coordinated global action for seamount restoration and protection.
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By filling critical deep-sea knowledge gaps, BIOMETORE provides the science needed to protect and restore seamount ecosystems that regulate ocean biodiversity and support climate resilience. -
This national-scale initiative transforms how seas are safeguarded: by mapping hidden habitats, removing lost fishing gear, and restoring blue carbon systems, it protects biodiversity, strengthens coastal resilience, and anchors marine restoration in climate strategy.
View relevant data layers on the globe using the available map toggle in the top right of each card in the left panel.
View relevant data layers on the globe using the available map toggle in the top right of each card in the left panel.
View relevant data layers on the globe using the available map toggle in the top right of each card in the left panel.