The European General Affairs Council has just adopted a proposal from the European Commission for urgent measures to protect deep sea coral reefs around the Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands.
Although this is a temporary solution until a proposal for long-term protection is considered later in the year, it is a welcome development in the protection of fragile deep sea ecosystems and the rich life they support. The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition urges the EU to follow its own example and do the same on the high seas.
