Although humanity has made great strides in understanding the ocean, much of its depths remain a mystery. Three-quarters of the seafloor have yet to be mapped, and tens of thousands of marine species remain unidentified. Understanding the ocean is essential for protecting our climate, sustaining biodiversity, and supporting the livelihoods of more than three billion people.
This article highlights three initiatives endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), known as the “Ocean Decade,” which are advancing innovative solutions through science, technology, and policy to push forward deep-sea exploration and mapping.
The deep ocean is filled with unimaginable extremes: waterfalls in the Atlantic dwarf Venezuela’s Angel Falls in height; the Mariana Trench could swallow Mount Everest; and even the cruising altitude of a jet plane is shallower than the ocean’s deepest known point. More than half of Earth lies within these deep-sea regions, a vast and mysterious world unlike anything on land.
The following three success stories show how the Ocean Decade is harnessing science and knowledge to accelerate discovery and understanding of life in the deep sea.
The Frontier Within Reach: How Seabed 2030 is Transforming Ocean Exploration
A quick Google search for “global seafloor map” brings up detailed images that seem to show the entirety of the deep ocean. In reality, most of these maps are only rough estimates, based on subtle variations in gravity measured from space—more of a guess than an accurate depiction of seafloor depth.
Recognizing this knowledge gap, the Nippon Foundation–GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project was launched in 2017 with the ambitious goal of creating a complete map of the seafloor by 2030. At that time, only 6% of the seabed had been mapped—an area about the size of Canada. Today, that figure has soared to 26.1%, nearly six times the size of Europe. This progress is transforming scattered knowledge into a clearer picture of the seafloor.
A comprehensive seafloor map is not only a scientific achievement but also critical for practical applications. Detailed seafloor maps are essential for safe navigation and trade, protecting marine habitats, guiding resource use, and detecting geological hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. To demonstrate these uses, Seabed 2030 has compiled 12 case studies showing how detailed seafloor data aids climate modeling, ocean resource management, and community well-being.
“Mapping the entire seafloor by 2030 is an ambitious challenge that requires sustained global cooperation, technological advances, and open data sharing,” said Seabed 2030 Project Director Jamie McMichael-Phillips. “But with growing momentum, strengthened partnerships, and dedication from the global community, we are steadily closing the gap in our knowledge of the seafloor.”
More than 70 strategic alliances have contributed time, resources, and expertise to the Seabed 2030 Project, driving unprecedented breakthroughs in ocean mapping and bringing the world closer to the 2030 goal of a fully mapped ocean floor.
Naming Life: How the Ocean Census Accelerates Species Discovery
We cannot protect what we do not know. Scientists estimate that as many as two million species live in the ocean, but only 10% to 25% have been identified. This is a race against time—some species may vanish before they are even named.
The Nippon Foundation–Ocean Census initiative is a global alliance undertaking large-scale discovery of marine life. In less than two years, the program has united more than 800 scientists from over 400 institutions worldwide, conducting dozens of expeditions to biodiversity hotspots. So far, more than 800 previously unknown marine species have been discovered, including sharks, sea butterflies, bamboo corals, coral fish, brittle stars, and more, covering a wide range of taxa.
“The past two years have been transformative for the Ocean Census: we have pioneered new methods, forged vital partnerships, built a global network of engaged scientists, and overcome the challenges of a truly global mission,” said Ocean Census Director Oliver Steeds.
Every discovery is now recorded in the Ocean Census Biodiversity Data Platform, a global hub for marine biodiversity. These open-access data are integrated into networks of data centers worldwide, ensuring that scientists, policymakers, and the public have free access, while advancing Ocean Decade Challenge 8—creating a digital representation of the ocean.
Seabed LIFEDEEPER: Measuring the Impact of Potential Seafloor Use
Manganese, iron, copper, cobalt, silver, gold—the seafloor is a treasure trove of minerals, attracting growing interest in deep-sea mining. But what consequences might extracting these resources bring?
Led by France’s Ifremer (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea), the LIFEDEEPER Project marks a major advance in understanding deep-sea ecosystems and their vulnerability to mineral exploitation. The project explores hydrothermal vents more than 2,000 meters deep along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where life thrives under the most extreme conditions.
As part of research conducted in areas licensed by the International Seabed Authority, around 60 scientists and crew aboard the research vessel Pourquoi pas? use the Nautile submersible to study hydrothermal sites with different features (size, habitat, chemistry). “Each mission uncovers new species,” said Ifremer microbial ecologist Marie-Anne Cambon. “Our goal is to understand how life adapts to the deep sea and define the limits of this adaptation, so we can better protect these unique ecosystems in the face of today’s rush for mineral exploration.”
Their latest discovery—hydrothermal activity in areas once thought “inactive”—has raised concerns about the profound impacts of mining on microbial life and metal cycles. Such activity may alter key processes and potentially affect biodiversity and resource stability in these environments.
Beyond the scientific focus, LIFEDEEPER also examines the legal, political, and social dimensions of seabed mining. Its insights will guide future decision-making, ensuring that biodiversity and ecosystem services are not overlooked—especially in areas rich with unique and fragile marine life.
For more information, please contact:
Ocean Decade Communications Team
About the Ocean Decade
In 2017, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), known as the “Ocean Decade.” Its goal is to foster ocean science and knowledge to reverse the decline of ocean health and create new opportunities for the sustainable development of this vast marine ecosystem.
The vision of the Ocean Decade is: “The science we need for the ocean we want.” It provides a convening framework for scientists and stakeholders from diverse sectors to build knowledge and partnerships, accelerate progress in ocean science, and deliver science-based solutions to support the 2030 Agenda.
The UN General Assembly mandated UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) to coordinate the Decade’s preparation and implementation.
About the UNESCO-IOC
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO promotes international cooperation in marine science to improve the management of the ocean, coasts, and marine resources. By coordinating programs on capacity development, ocean observations and services, marine science, and tsunami warnings, IOC enables its 150 Member States to work together. Its work supports UNESCO’s mission to advance science and its applications, build knowledge and capacity, and foster economic and social progress as the foundation of peace and sustainable development.