Scientists from around the world have called for a ban on a fishing practice known as bottom trawling, amid concerns that it is causing unprecedented damage to deep sea eco-systems.
At a UN convention in Kuala Lumpur, more than 1,000 scientists urged governments to legislate against the practice, in favour of more sustainable fishing methods.
Bottom trawling involves dragging heavy chains, nets and steel plates across the ocean floor.
The President of the US Marine Conservation Biology Institute, Dr Elliot Norse, says it is extremely destructive.
