Mind-Blowing News: Scientists Just Partnered Up to Map the Entire Ocean Floor by 2030!

Plymouth Marine Laboratory has recently announced its partnership with the Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project in an ambitious attempt to deepen our understanding of the world's oceans and work towards a fully mapped seafloor.

This groundbreaking collaboration will not only leverage PML's extensive research expertise but also Seabed 2030's ambitious global mapping goals, aimed at enhancing marine science and management. The primary objective of Seabed 2030, a joint initiative of The Nippon Foundation and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO), is to map the world's oceans by 2030. This will involve compiling the data into the freely available GEBCO Ocean Map.

Jamie McMichael-Phillips, project director of Seabed 2030, expressed his enthusiasm for the new partnership, stating that it will significantly contribute to the mission of mapping the entire ocean floor. The collaboration between Seabed 2030 and PML aligns seamlessly with PML's commitment to excellence in marine research.

Plymouth Marine Laboratory is renowned for its leadership in marine research, with a primary focus on climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable ocean management. As a result, the partnership with Seabed 2030 is set to enhance PML's ongoing initiatives, including projects like the Atlantic Meridional Transect.

Icarus Allen, PML's chief executive, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating that PML shares Seabed 2030's ambition to foster greater knowledge and understanding of the marine environment. He highlighted the significance of obtaining the best possible data and information to support improved decision-making for a more sustainable ocean future.

The partnership between Seabed 2030 and Plymouth Marine Laboratory is expected to contribute significantly to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, which emphasizes the importance of integrating multidisciplinary research for better ocean management.

All data collected through this partnership will be included in the GEBCO global grid, which is freely accessible to the public. The transparency of the research findings will ensure that its benefits reach a global audience, supporting broader efforts in marine science and policy.

By including the findings in the GEBCO global grid, the partnership advances scientific knowledge and provides valuable resources for global marine conservation and management.