The paper "Integrating Science and Policy for Recognising Seamounts as Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems" examines the criteria for classifying seamounts as Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) under the FAO Deep Sea Fisheries Guidelines. It reviews scientific evidence and definitions from the UN General Assembly, FAO Guidelines, Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs), and individual states to support the classification of seamounts as VMEs. The paper highlights that surveyed seamounts meet at least four of the five VME criteria: uniqueness or rarity, functional significance, fragility, life-history traits, and structural complexity. Visual studies have also confirmed their capacity to sustain extensive VME communities. The paper advocates for a precautionary, ecosystem-based approach to protect seamounts, including their listing in Annex 9 of CMM 03-2023. It discusses the effectiveness of current policies aimed at protecting seamounts and emphasizes the need for consistent protection across RFMOs to ensure the conservation of VMEs and their associated biodiversity.The paper "Integrating Science and Policy for Recognising Seamounts as Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems" examines the criteria for classifying seamounts as Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) under the FAO Deep Sea Fisheries Guidelines. It reviews scientific evidence and definitions from the UN General Assembly, FAO Guidelines, Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs), and individual states to support the classification of seamounts as VMEs. The paper highlights that surveyed seamounts meet at least four of the five VME criteria: uniqueness or rarity, functional significance, fragility, life-history traits, and structural complexity. Visual studies have also confirmed their capacity to sustain extensive VME communities. The paper advocates for a precautionary, ecosystem-based approach to protect seamounts, including their listing in Annex 9 of CMM 03-2023. It discusses the effectiveness of current policies aimed at protecting seamounts and emphasizes the need for consistent protection across RFMOs to ensure the conservation of VMEs and their associated biodiversity.