The Lord Howe Rise lies between Australia and New Zealand, spanning around 2800 km from the central Coral Sea in the tropical north to the Challenger Plateau in the temperate south.[1] It has been described as a ‘volcanic lost world’[2] – a vast collection of seamounts, ridges, valleys guyots and hills, which is home to a wide diversity of marine life, as well as an important stepping stone for many migratory species.[3] The area spans the Exclusive Economic Zones of Australia and New Zealand, and the Extended Continental Shelf of New Caledonia/France. A significant portion of the Lord Howe Rise is an area beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ).[4] This presentation will draw on proceedings from the 2025 ‘Lost Volcanic World’ research symposium (comprising nearly 30 papers, with a focus on elevating traditional ecological knowledge)[5] and a companion scientific literature review (in development), to consider opportunities for strengthening protection of the Lord Howe Rise and South Tasman Sea. This will include potential to enhance protections under national laws, through regional agreements, and under the BBNJ Agreement. The importance of science and traditional knowledge in advancing high seas protected areas will be a particular focus of the presentation.
[1] Rachel Przeslawski et al, ‘Biogeography of the Lord Howe Rise region, Tasman Sea’ (2011) 58(7-8) Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography 959.
[2] Tanya Plibersek, Closing address to the Global Nature Positive Summit (Speech, 9 October 2024).
[3] WWF, High Seas Alliance and the Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative, A Volcanic Lost World’: Proceedings of the Research Symposium on the Lord Howe Rise and South Tasman Sea, (2025).
[4] Przeslawski et al, above n 1.
[5] WWF, High Seas Alliance and the Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative, above n 3.