The Community is committed to the conservation of marine ecosystems such as reefs, seamounts, deep water corals, hydrothermal vents and sponge beds.

‘vulnerable marine ecosystem’ means any marine ecosystem whose integrity (i.e. ecosystem structure or function) is, according to the best scientific information available and to the principle of precaution, threatened by significant adverse impacts resulting from physical contact with bottom gears in the normal course of fishing operations, including, inter alia, reefs, seamounts, hydrothermal vents, cold water corals or cold water sponge beds.

‘vulnerable marine ecosystem’ means any marine ecosystem whose specific structure and function is, according to the best scientific information available and to the principle of precaution , likely to be compromised by stress resulting from physical contact with bottom gears in the course of fishing operations, including inter alia reefs, seamounts, hydrothermal vents, cold water corals or cold water sponge beds ;

Available scientific evidence also suggests that the biodiversity of the deep seas is not evenly distributed but instead, it is concentrated in and around discrete features of the seabed such as seamounts, coral reefs and hydrothermal vents.

Hazards and adverse impacts liable to affect the marine environment will be identified; - "Marine technology" the aim of which is to develop generic technologies for monitoring, using and protecting the marine environment (oceanographic observation, underwater communication and viewing, analysis of natural substances, development of measurement instruments, remote-controlled vehicles and benthic laboratories for deep-sea and Arctic exploration); - "Supporting initiatives" in order to improve coordination and develop European cooperation (training, SMEs, access to advanced experimental facilities, etc.).

Seven of the projects selected concern this research area marine technologies: the aim here is to develop generic technologies required for monitoring, use and protection of the marine environment (oceanographical observation, underwater communication and vision, analysis of natural substances, development of measurement instruments, of remote-controlled vehicles and of benthic laboratories for exploration of the deep sea and of the Arctic).