Environmental management of deep-sea chemosynthetic ecosystems: justification of and considerations for a spatially based approach.

Thirty-one experts in ocean governance, industry and marine scientific research from 14 countries convened from 31 May to 4 June 2010 at the Centre de Recherche et d'Enseignement sur les Systemes Cotiers (CRESCO) in Dinard, France, in order to: * Formulate general guidelines for the conservation of vent and seep ecosystems at regional and global scales. * Establish a research agenda aimed at improving existing plans for the spatial management of vent and seep ecosystems.