From Pixels to Policy: Unlocking the Atlantic Ocean’s Benthic Biodiversity Data
At #AAORIA2026, this side event explores how seabed imagery can better support decision-making - and marks the launch of Coral Cartography (UN #OceanDecade, #Challenger150).
📍 14 April | Brazil
🔗 lnkd.in/eH3KPDgk
@pml.ac.uk
From Pixels to Policy: Unlocking the Atlantic Ocean’s Benthic Biodiversity Data
At #AAORIA2026, this side event explores how seabed imagery can better support decision-making - and marks the launch of Coral Cartography (UN #OceanDecade, #Challenger150).
📍 14 April | Brazil
🔗 lnkd.in/eH3KPDgk
As a Challenger 150 endorsed project, SMARTEX delivers evidence needed to understand long‑term ecosystem impacts and support responsible decision‑making around deep‑sea mining.
Register here: lnkd.in/ey9JEAPA
"The reef has survived ice ages - but whether it will survive increasing pressures from industrial fishing, deep-sea mining & climate change is, in part, a question about data. If we don’t know it exists, how can we protect it?"
PML's Prof Howell on #AIforGood🔗 theconversation.com/how-ai-could...
Kerry is PML's Professor of Deep-Sea Ecology and Co-lead of UN Ocean Decade (@unoceandecade.bsky.social) Challenger 150 Programme (@challenger150.bsky.social).
👆Joined by Astrid Schomaker – (@unbiodiversity.bsky.social), Dr Kilaparti Ramakrishna – (@whoi.edu), Ken Paul - Pokiok Associates, Charles Goddard – Economist Impact and Dr Hendra Yusran Siry – Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries - Republic of Indonesia.
"The science, much like policy, needs to be more strategic & coordinated in order to understand where ecosystems are & how they are responding to climate change." - PML's Prof Kerry Howell speaking at the Economist Impact's #OceanSummit on the panel "Effective & equitable implementation of #30x30"
If you’re at #OSM2026, join the Deep-Ocean Science Town Hall on 25 Feb.
Challenger 150 will be there to listen and discuss priorities for the next phase of the #OceanDecade.
agu.confex.com/agu/osm26/me...
Students gained hands-on at-sea training during the Life in Extremes expedition - strengthening long-term expertise in deep-sea research across Argentina.
Discovery matters. But so does building the next generation of scientists.
#DeepSeaTraining #Challenger150
challenger150.world/advancing-de...
If you’re at #OSM2026, join the Deep-Ocean Science Town Hall on 25 Feb.
Challenger 150 will be there to listen and discuss priorities for the next phase of the #OceanDecade.
agu.confex.com/agu/osm26/me...
Challenger 150 will join the Deep-Ocean Science Town Hall at #OSM2026 (25 Feb). Our focus is on coordination, training, and priorities for deep-sea science at the halfway point of the #OceanDecade.
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Challenger 150 will join the Deep-Ocean Science Town Hall at #OSM2026 (25 Feb). Our focus is on coordination, training, and priorities for deep-sea science at the halfway point of the #OceanDecade.
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@oceandiscleague.bsky.social is now accepting applications for the 2026 Accessing the Deep deep ocean training & mentoring program for early-career professionals, focusing on Africa and the Western Indian Ocean! Apply by March 4, 2026: gqr.sh/HcTT
We are now accepting applications for the 2026 Accessing the Deep deep ocean training & mentoring program for early-career professionals, focusing on Africa and the Western Indian Ocean! Apply by March 4, 2026: gqr.sh/HcTT. #oceanexploration #AccessingTheDeep @challenger150.bsky.social
🌊 The 2025 NEPDEP – Seamounts & Mapping Expedition (Sept 4–18) has wrapped up! The Council of the Haida Nation, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, DFO, ONC & partners explored seamounts, vents & cold seeps off Vancouver Island & Haida Gwaii.
🔗 nepdep.com/2025expeditionseamounts
#nepdep #Challenger150
🌊 Join us at the ANDR Mini-Symposium!
📅 29 Sept | 16:00–17:40 EAT
📍 Baracuda Room, #WIOMSA2025
Proudly hosted by the African Network of Deep-water Researchers.
@wiomsa.bsky.social #WIOMSA2025
🌍 More from ANDR: challenger150.world/andr-highlig...
🌊 Counting down to the ANDR Mini-Symposium!
📅 Mon, 29 Sept | 16:00–17:40 EAT
📍 Baracuda Room, #WIOMSA2025
✨ Dive Into the Depths: Advancements in Deep-Water Research in the WIO
@WIOMSA #WIOMSA2025
🐟 Read our recent publication: challenger150.world/wp-content/u...
🌊 Join us at the ANDR Mini-Symposium!
📅 29 Sept | 16:00–17:40 EAT
📍 Baracuda Room, #WIOMSA2025
Proudly hosted by the African Network of Deep-water Researchers.
@wiomsa.bsky.social #WIOMSA2025
🌍 More from ANDR: challenger150.world/andr-highlig...
🧭 For the first time, Uruguayan scientists have access to an ROV diving 4,500 m. The #URUGUAYSUB200 expedition unites global researchers to study fragile ecosystems and expand deep-sea knowledge
🔗 challenger150.world/visualizing-the-deep-off-uruguay
Partner: @schmidtocean.bsky.social
#Challenger150
🌍 Curious what the C150 African Network of Deep-water Researchers (ANDR) has achieved in 2025 so far? From training to new collaborations, catch the highlights here:
🔗 challenger150.world/andr-highlig...
#Challenger150 #DeepSeaScience #CapacityBuilding #Africa
🌊 #URUGUAYSUB200 aboard R/V Falkor (too) is the first full study of Uruguay’s deep ocean. Using ROV SuBastian, scientists will explore reefs, sponges & cold seeps never documented here.
🔗 schmidtocean.org/cruise/visualizing-the-deep-off-uruguay
Partner: @schmidtocean.bsky.social
#Challenger150
🌍🚨 New global study finds huge blind spots in ocean biodiversity data.
Why it matters: without better data, whole ecosystems risk being left out of conservation plans.
🗺️ Read: “Mapping the Gaps: A Global Assessment of Ocean Biodiversity Data”
#DeepSea #OceanScience #DataEquity #Challenger150
🌍🚨 New global study finds huge blind spots in ocean biodiversity data.
Why it matters: without better data, whole ecosystems risk being left out of conservation plans.
🗺️ Read: “Mapping the Gaps: A Global Assessment of Ocean Biodiversity Data”
#DeepSea #OceanScience #DataEquity #Challenger150
If you want to read more, check out the full #openaccess manuscript, available here shorturl.at/dypTc, or our press release available here shorturl.at/1BPPe.
@challenger150.bsky.social @plymuni.bsky.social @plymouthmarine.bsky.social @oneoceanhub.bsky.social @unoceandecade.bsky.social
This analysis was made possible through the development of a statistically-based, custom pipeline, enabling authors to classify ~19 million OBIS records as either benthic or pelagic datasets. We’re thrilled to say that both the final datasets, and the code to recreate them are #OpenAccess too!
