An international team of scientists want to explore the unexplored deep seas.
These vast expanses of water and seabed are hidden more than 200 metres below the ocean surface to depths up to 11000 metres.
The new Challenger 150 programme coincides with the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
The scientists from 45 institutions in 17 countries, have proposed a dedicated 10-year programme of research to greatly advance discovery in the deep seas.
They have named the programme Challenger 150 after the HMS Challenger ship.
The years 2022-2026 mark the 150th anniversary of the voyage of HMS Challenger.
This ship left the UK in 1876 on a 4-year mission, circumnavigating the globe, mapping the seafloor, recording the global ocean temperature, and providing a first panoramic view of life in the deep seas.
The Challenger Deep – the deepest known point of the ocean – is named after it, as were several of its vessels in NASA’s space programmes.
Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
The new Challenger 150 programme coincides with the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, which runs from 2021-2030.
Challenger 150 will generate new geological, physical, biogeochemical, and biological data through a global cooperative of science and innovation, including the application of new technology.
Includes mining, hydrocarbon extraction, fishing
These data will be used to understand how changes in the deep-sea impact the wider ocean and life on the planet.
Among its key areas of focus are to build greater capacity and diversity in the scientific community, acknowledging the fact that existing deep-sea research is conducted primarily by developed nations with access to resources and infrastructure.
The programme will use this new knowledge of the deep to support regional, national, and international decision-making on deep-sea issues.
This includes mining, hydrocarbon extraction, fishing, climate mitigation, laying of fibre optic cables and conservation.
Source : Fishing
