Wonders of the High Seas
Unesco experts have come up with five spots far out in the oceans that they think should be added to the list of World Heritage Sites - even though most people will likely never see them. Here are their suggestions.
Deep down, far-off and simply amazing
Five spots in the high seas should be deemed World Heritage sites, Unesco experts recommend. They say their beauty is breathtaking, their biodiversity tremendous and they are important ecosystems for endangered wildlife.
1. The Lost City Hydrothermal Field
This geo-biological feature lies in 800-meter deep water in the Atlantic Ocean, on a volcanic hotspot. UNESCO experts say it is "unlike any other ecosystem yet known on Earth". Hydrothermal vents towering out of the seabed like chimneys have been emitting gases, probably for more than 120,000 years. A 60-meter high monolith called "Poseidon", made of carbonate, is the dominant feature.
2. The Costa Rica Thermal Dome
UNESCO calls this area, extending over up to 500-kilometers in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, an "oceanic oasis". The habitat attracts large fish, marine mammals and predators like sharks, tuna, dolphins and whales - most notably the blue whale (shown here). Critically endangered leatherback turtles often pass by on their way to other parts of the world.
3. The White Shark Café
Yes, marine biologists really did come up with this name! Of course it is not a coffeehouse, but an open ocean region, halfway between the North American mainland and Hawaii. To the human eye, it might seem featureless and unremarkable. But obviously not to the white shark. Large numbers of white sharks congregate here to feed and mate. The currents seem to attract them.
4. The Sargasso Sea
Columbus is said to have viewed this spot on his first voyage in 1492. The Sargasso Sea surrounds the islands of Bermuda. Its special feature is the floating Sargassum seaweed, which forms what marine biologists describe as a 'Golden Floating Rainforest'. It hosts many other living organisms, and is the only breeding location for European and American eels.
5. The Atlantis Bank
Steep cliffs, stacks, beaches and lagoons at a depth of 700 to 4000 meters, populated by large anemones, armchair-sized sponges and corals - that is the Atlantis Bank in the Indian Ocean. It was originally an island that sank to the bottom of the ocean millions of years ago. Atlantis? Amazing!
Outstanding universal value
All five places lie in international waters, outside of any national jurisdiction. That's why they are hard to protect. Deeming them World Heritage, though, would be a way, experts say.