Safeguard ecosystem function and carbon storage capacity in deep soft seabeds

Deep soft bottoms are of vital importance for the functioning of the whole marine ecosystem and for long-term carbon storage. These functions may be reduced when the bottoms are trawled for commercial fishing and during seabed mining. Still, these habitats are often overlooked when outlining marine protected areas and restricting fisheries and exploitation. EU Member States must better protect deep soft bottoms in the Baltic and North Sea.