In February 2004, 1,136 scientists from 69 countries released a statement expressing profound concern “that human activities, particularly bottom trawling, are causing unprecedented damage to the deep-sea coral and sponge communities on continental plateaus and slopes, and on seamounts and mid-ocean ridges.” The statement called on governments and the United Nations to establish a moratorium on high seas bottom trawling. (For a full text of the statement, see www.mcbi.org).
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