Illustrations of potential Outstanding Universal Value in the High Seas
30 July 2016
In 2016, IUCN and UNESCO published the first global scientific analysis of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction that could potentially meet at least one of the four natural World Heritage criteria. Sites included White Shark Café, Costa Rica Thermal Dome, Lost City Hydrothermal Field, Atlantis Bank and Sargasso Sea.
More information: https://whc.unesco.org/en/highseas
More information: https://whc.unesco.org/en/highseas
11 photos
1
Signature of the World Heritage Convention by René Maheu, UNESCO Director-General, 23/11/1972.
Copyright: © UNESCO
Date: 23/11/1972
Pixels: 1266x892
2
Diverse coral gardens and complex sea-cliff deep-sea communities characterized by large anemones, large sponges and octocorals at the Atlantis Bank, South West Indian Ocean.
Copyright: © The Natural Environment Research Council and IUCN/GEF Seamounts Project C/O Alex D Rogers.
Date: 09/12/2011
Pixels: 2592x1944
3
Humpback whale in the Sargasso Sea.
Copyright: © Andrew Stevenson
Author: Andrew Stevenson
Date: 18/04/2011
Pixels: 3872x2592
4
Photomosaic of a 13 m-tall carbonate chimney called Ryan. Long term seepage of fluids from steep cliffs bounding the eastern side of the Lost City Hydrothermal Field has resulted in beautiful arrays of narrow pinnacles that reach many tens of meters in height.
Copyright: © Credit: D.S. Kelley and M. Elend, School of Oceanography, University of Washington.
Pixels: 940x1314
5
The three-story-tall actively venting carbonate tower called IMAX protrudes from the north face of a much larger edifice called Poseidon in the Lost City Hydrothermal Field. Poseidon rises ~60 m above the surrounding seafloor. The area has been active for >120,000 years.
Copyright: © Credit: D.S. Kelley and M. Elend, School of Oceanography, University of Washington.
Pixels: 986x1303
6
Great white shark at Isla Guadalupe, Mexico, August 2006. Shot with Nikon D70s in Ikelite housing, in natural light. Animal estimated at 11-12 feet (3.3 to 3.6 m) in length, age unknown.
Copyright: © Pterantula (Terry Goss) via Wikimedia Commons
Pixels: 1200x835
7
Scientific illustration of the Lost City Hydrothermal Field
Copyright: © UNESCO / Hugo Salais
Pixels: 8268x4961
8
Scientific illustration of the Sargasso Sea
Copyright: © UNESCO / Hugo Salais
Pixels: 8268x4961
9
Scientific illustration of the White Shark Cafe
Copyright: © UNESCO / Hugo Salais
Pixels: 7795x4961
10
Scientific illustration of the Atlantis Bank
Copyright: © UNESCO / Hugo Salais
Pixels: 7795x4961
11
Scientific illustration of the Costa Rica Thermal Dome
Copyright: © UNESCO / Hugo Salais
Pixels: 8268x4961