Experts say ocean conservation should be assessed in three dimensions. 

A new assessment method should be able to factor in the nuance of the ocean, rather than breaking it down in simplistic terms. 

“We need to stop thinking about the world as a two-dimensional map when it comes to conservation,” says Dr Issac Brito-Morales, who helped develop a new strategy while at The University of Queensland. 

“Our approach allows us to observe the world’s oceans in their full three dimensions, observing depth zones and the seafloor as different layers of our complex marine system.

“In the past, most marine protected areas were designated in shallow coastal areas – such as coral reefs – and considered the biodiversity in the water column and on the seafloor as one system.

“This may work in shallow marine environments, but in the open ocean, the surface can be many kilometres away from the sea floor – they’re completely different ecosystems.”

His research team says its new assessment approach will help inspire the creation of larger, more detailed and effective marine protection areas, potentially expanding protected ocean areas by up to 30 per cent this decade.

“By looking at the high seas, which make up 64 per cent of the total ocean area, we’ve identified areas where species are less likely to migrate from as our oceans warm – think of them as climate change refuges,” Dr Brito-Morales said.

“These areas make up only about six per cent of the high seas, but are home to a number of at-threat species, such as marine mammals, seabirds, sea turtles and many fish species.

“As the high seas are exploited by the world’s fisheries, we can use our detailed 3D models to avoid unnecessary economic disruption, while maximising the protection of vulnerable species.

 “Getting protection in these deep-sea refuges would be a promising start in protecting the world’s oceans.”

More details are accessible here.