NEARLY two-thirds of the ocean lies outside any country's control or national jurisdiction. These are the high seas or waters beyond any country's exclusive economic zone and the deep seabed areas beyond their continental shelves. Collectively, these are known as marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ).

Expectedly, the old, reliable National Geographic was the first to expose to the world the 'wonders' of marine areas beyond the national jurisdiction of any state. The areas include deep-sea trenches, seamounts and hydrothermal vents, examples of which abound in our Asia-Pacific region. They contain an exceptional level of biodiversity, from pelagic fish like tuna to deep-sea sponges, including what scientists estimate to be over 2 million yet-to-be identified species. Looking at the colorful and often unusually shaped species makes one anticipate that somewhere are mermaids and other undersea creatures of folklore or fantasy.