Vote to Protect Mediterranean Seamounts! - Oceana USA
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April 19, 2011

Vote to Protect Mediterranean Seamounts!

Oceana could win 30.000€ (more than $40,000) to protect threatened seamounts in the Mediterranean, but only if you vote!

We’re participating in an online contest with National Geographic Germany, and all you have to do is click on Oceana’s project to protect the Balearic Islands Seamounts. Yes, the page is in German, but don’t let that deter you – it’s easy to spot Oceana’s project, and your vote counts just as much!

The Balearic Seamounts are located off of Spain’s Mediterranean coast, and they are vital habitat for the reproduction of important commercial species such as bluefin tuna and sword fish. The seamounts also harbor marine species such us carnivorous sponges, black and bamboo corals, loggerhead sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales.  

Unfortunately, the Balearic seamounts are threatened by industrial overfishing and other activities that threaten their biodiversity.

Here are some photos our divers took of the seamounts:

 

Since Oceana began taking samples from these seamounts in 2006, we have completed more than 30 dives with a submarine robot (ROV) up to 700 meters deep. Now we need your support to achieve final protection of these seamounts and preserve their precious species and habitats.

Voting ends tomorrow, so vote right now and spread the word!