Given what is known about the deep oceans beyond national jurisdiction (as well as within), it is acknowledged that while they remain poorly explored and understood, current information indicates that deep sea ecosystems and species are vulnerable to human impacts (e.g. seamounts, deep sea coral reefs and sponge beds), and many species inhabiting such areas are long-lived, slow growing, fragile, and when damaged take a long time to recover.
Given what is known about the deep oceans beyond national jurisdiction (as well as within), it is acknowledged that while they remain poorly explored and understood, current information indicates that deep sea ecosystems and species are vulnerable to human impacts (e.g. seamounts, deep sea coral reefs and sponge beds), and many species inhabiting such areas are long-lived, slow growing, fragile, and when damaged take a long time to recover.