The
@UN
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇺🇳" title="Flag of United Nations" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of United Nations"> is due to agree a new Treaty to protect the
#HighSeas.
New study identifies 9 amazing places in international waters that desperately need protection; a thread.
(n.b. links to report/studies at the end!)

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="1⃣" title="Keycap digit one" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit one"> The Salas y Gómez and Nazca Ridges are connected submarine mountain ranges with the peak between them located about 2,000 kilometres from mainland Chile.
Seamounts in these waters offer refuge to both resident and migratory species, including leatherback sea turtles.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="2⃣" title="Keycap digit two" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit two"> The Costa Rica Dome: Efforts are underway to protect the Costa Rica Dome area within national waters and on the high seas in recognition of the uniqueness of its ecological drivers and the life it supports.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="3⃣" title="Keycap digit three" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit three"> The Lord Howe Rise and South Tasman Sea are among the most biodiverse & productive waters beyond national jurisdiction.
Seabirds such as this Gould’s petrel, a threatened species, are abundant in the waters of Lord Howe Rise and South Tasman Sea.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="4⃣" title="Keycap digit four" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit four"> Emperor Seamount Chain is a productive and highly biodiverse series of seamounts in the northwest Pacific.
Recent studies show that these seamounts support high levels of species richness and the presence of threatened species, including deep-sea cold-water coral communities.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="5⃣" title="Keycap digit five" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit five"> The Mascarene Plateau supports one of the only areas of high seas seagrasses, which turtles like this one call home.
Despite the ecological importance of the Mascarene Plateau, interests are working to exploit the area’s resources for commercial purposes.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="6⃣" title="Keycap digit six" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit six"> Arabian Sea: these waters beyond India, Pakistan, Oman and Yemen has an extreme oxygen minimum zone, a distinct and rare feature.
Although there is some fishing, marine biodiversity is mostly threatened by vessel pollution and spills, as well as ship strikes.
Arabian Sea: these waters beyond India, Pakistan, Oman and Yemen has an extreme oxygen minimum zone, a distinct and rare feature.Although there is some fishing, marine biodiversity is mostly threatened by vessel pollution and spills, as well as ship strikes." title="https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="6⃣" title="Keycap digit six" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit six"> Arabian Sea: these waters beyond India, Pakistan, Oman and Yemen has an extreme oxygen minimum zone, a distinct and rare feature.Although there is some fishing, marine biodiversity is mostly threatened by vessel pollution and spills, as well as ship strikes.">
Arabian Sea: these waters beyond India, Pakistan, Oman and Yemen has an extreme oxygen minimum zone, a distinct and rare feature.Although there is some fishing, marine biodiversity is mostly threatened by vessel pollution and spills, as well as ship strikes." title="https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="6⃣" title="Keycap digit six" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit six"> Arabian Sea: these waters beyond India, Pakistan, Oman and Yemen has an extreme oxygen minimum zone, a distinct and rare feature.Although there is some fishing, marine biodiversity is mostly threatened by vessel pollution and spills, as well as ship strikes.">

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="7⃣" title="Keycap digit seven" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit seven"> The Gulf of Guinea is a biological hot spot. Powerful upwelling and the convergence of three separate currents drive some of the highest levels of productivity in the high seas.
Many species of tuna, swordfish, sharks, and rays all use these waters for their development.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="8⃣" title="Keycap digit eight" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit eight"> Walvis Ridge is an undersea mountain range that formed as a result of a volcanic hot spot track off the southwestern tip of Africa.
The variation in the slopes, summits and surface waters of the Walvis Ridge supports a diverse ecological community.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="9⃣" title="Keycap digit nine" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit nine"> Sargasso Sea and Corner Rise Seamounts; defined by its characteristic seaweeds, the Sargasso Sea has ecological importance rivaled by few places in the world. Habitat for many critically important and endemic species, such as European and American eels.
...as promised link to full report:
https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/reports/2020/03/a-path-to-creating-the-first-generation-of-high-seas-protected-areas...and">https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/resear... the excellent study on which it was based:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X19309194(Chapeau">https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/a... to all involved -and apologies for cribbing their hard work above)
Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.