In Depth: Seabed 2030 E-Newsletter
August 2022 Edition
The latest edition of the Seabed2030 bimonthly e-newsletter ‘In Depth’ is now available to read. This edition features a review of the 2022 Un Ocean Conference, Seabed 2030 Global Center updates, updates on seabed mapping projects surrounding the Tonga eruption, and much more.
The newsletter, and previous newsletters, can be downloaded from this section of the Seabed2030 website.
Editorial Preface:
Jamie McMichael-Phillips – Seabed 2030 Project Director
Seabed 2030 was launched at the first ever UN Ocean Conference held in New York in
2017. Five years on, it gave us great pleasure to participate in – and host an official event
at – the second UN Ocean Conference, held in Lisbon in late June.
It is certainly encouraging to see the ocean feature more prominently in dialogues across the world – demonstrated not only by the recent UN Ocean Conference, but also by the One Ocean Summit held earlier this year.
In June we also observed two key dates in the maritime calendar: World Oceans Day and World Hydrography Day. The former is committed to uniting the world to protect and restore our blue planet whilst World Hydrography Day – adopted by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) – aims to raise awareness about the vital role of hydrography in increasing our ocean knowledge.
Whilst recent events give cause for us to feel inspired, it is imperative that we do not become complacent. We must keep up the momentum following the successful UN Ocean Conference and ensure ocean science is placed at the forefront of policy and climate discussions – not least because of the integral role the ocean plays in safeguarding the future of the planet.
Our event in Lisbon showcased the benefits of ocean mapping from a global perspective and outlined the way in which mapping data is essential to supporting the UN SDG 14: to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. Using the remainder of the time until the end of the Ocean Decade, we must mobilise across sectors to collectively find solutions to map 100 per cent of the ocean floor.
The UN Ocean Conference also saw the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) publish the first ever edition of its comprehensive State of the Ocean Report (StOR). The comprehensive document – which will help monitor progress of the Ocean Decade – boasts contributions from over 100 renowned experts across the field of marine science and provides an extensive overview of the state of the ocean.
The pivotal publication also contains an article co-authored by eminent members of the GEBCO Guiding Committee, and should be treated as an indispensable tool that will help guide us through the Decade and towards the realisation of our goal.
Seabed 2030 is a global effort and, to this end, we were delighted to formalise our ongoing
collaboration with the United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in conjunction with our event. Working closely with existing partners and forging new ones along the way, we look forward to this journey of discovery.
