Synthesis and review of the best available scientific studies on priority areas for biodiversity conservation in marine areas beyond the limits of National Jurisdiction /

The Convention on Biological Diversity has a key role in supporting the work of the General Assembly with regard to marine protected areas beyond national jurisdiction, by focusing on the provision of scientific and, as appropriate, technical information and advice relating to marine biological diversity, the application of the ecosystem approach and the precautionary approach, and in delivering t [...] Based on a document submitted to the 13th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/13/INF/11), it was prepared to provide a synthesis and review of the best available scientific studies on priority areas for biodiversity conservation in marine areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. [...] Special thanks for reviewing the report go to the Data Analysis Working Group of the Census of Marine Life programme CenSeam (a global census of marine life on seamounts), member organizations of UN-OCEANS (including the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and Law of the Sea, the World Bank, the International Maritime Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme,. [...] Gratitude is also expressed to all staff of the Secretariat of the Convention who contributed to the editing of the report. [...] Because of their volcanic nature, seamounts are found near mid-ocean spreading ridges, over upwelling plumes and in island-arc convergent settings.8 Studies suggest a connection between the height of the seamount and the age (and thus the strength) of the tectonic plate, and to a lesser extent melt availability and magma driving pressure.9 Because seamounts do not break the sea surface, our knowle