Protecting the lost city hydrothermal vent system: All is not lost, or is it?

Lost City is a unique marine hydrothermal vent field in Area Beyond National Jurisdiction on the front line of deep-sea features that policy-makers should seek to protect. The feature, located on the Mid Atlantic Ridge, is part of a priority area for a future International Seabed Authority Regional Environmental Management Plan. It is also recognized by the Convention on Biological Diversity as being within an Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Area and has been mooted as a possible World Heritage site. Together these policy strands present a strong rationale for protection but governance and policy uncertainties remain. The paper advocates a proactive and bold interpretation of UNCLOS in favour of strong protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]