Why are seamounts so important?

Seamounts, or underwater mountains, are oases of life. Home to coral and sponges, they attract, and support an array of marine life, from fish to sharks and whales and even seabirds.

These underwater communities, or biodiversity hotspots, play a vital role in keeping the ocean healthy. But they are often targeted by bottom trawlers who drop massive, heavy nets, that bulldoze the slow growing corals and destroy ocean life - indiscriminately catching sharks, turtles and seabirds.

The Global Ocean Treaty can help protect precious seamounts through the creation of global ocean sanctuaries. Imagine a network of protected areas around the globe, vast swathes of the high seas that are free from destructive fishing and the threat of deep sea mining.

But for the Treaty to come to life, and to be used as a tool for creating these sanctuaries, at least 60 governments must ratify it - and soon.