JUST LAUNCHED: The Global Deep Sea Exploration Goals. Learn More
The Global Deep Sea Exploration Goals are a coordinated international effort to visually explore 10,000 strategically selected locations across the deep seafloor, creating the first representative global dataset of deep-ocean imagery. Although the deep ocean covers most of our planet, only a tiny fraction has ever been seen.
This initiative provides a data-driven roadmap to close that gap by identifying locations that reflect the full diversity of deep-sea environments across ocean basins, depths, and geological features. By aligning expeditions, sharing data, and expanding access to exploration tools, the global community can work together to accelerate discovery and build a more complete understanding of Earth’s largest—and least explored—ecosystem.
Published April 1, 2026, in Science Advances: "The Global Deep Sea Exploration Goals: A Representative Approach to Visually Observing the Deep Seafloor."
THE CHALLENGE
Despite covering 66% of Earth's surface, the deep ocean remains largely unexplored. Our study, published in Science Advances — "How Little We've Seen: A Visual Coverage Estimate of the Deep Seafloor" — documents that in decades of deep-sea exploration, humans have observed less than 0.001% of the deep seafloor. That total area is roughly the size of Rhode Island.
The deep ocean sustains diverse ecosystems and provides essential services, including oxygen production, climate regulation, and critical pharmaceutical discoveries. Yet visual surveys have been primarily focused on just a few regions and countries. Approximately half of all documented observations have occurred within 200 nautical miles of just three countries: the United States, Japan, and New Zealand. Five countries are responsible for 97% of all deep-sea submergence observations to date.
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This geographic concentration has led the oceanographic community to base much of its understanding of the deep ocean on an incredibly small and unrepresentative sample. As threats to the deep ocean accelerate from climate change to deep-sea mining, this gap becomes a critical problem for both science and policy.
0.001%
Percentage of the deep seafloor ever directly observed.
66%
Percentage of Earth's surface that is ocean deeper than 200 m.
97%
Percentage of past dives conducted by only five countries.
THE SOLUTION
10,000 strategically selected target locations representing the full statistical diversity of the deep seafloor were chosen using four globally available variables that capture key physical, chemical, geological, and biological properties of deep-sea habitats worldwide. The sampling design accounts for where we already have visual observations and prioritizes geographic spread across the entire global deep seafloor, including ocean basins, depth zones, and jurisdictional areas that are most lacking in historical coverage.
A probability-based sampling framework built on bathymetry, geomorphology, sediment composition, and POC flux.
From how the 10,000 targets were selected to what it takes to complete one, our FAQ covers everything you need to know to get involved.
Browse the points in the online interactive or use the layers to see them within the context of country EEZs or overlayed with various geomorphological features.
IMPLEMENTATION
Checking off a Goal requires a visual observation — video or still imagery — at the target location.
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Achieving a globally representative effort cannot be accomplished through improved sampling design alone; it also requires a redistribution of opportunity, tools, and training. This strategy identifies the scientific gaps that indicate where capacity building and new deployments are most urgently needed, including regions that are often remote from prior exploration efforts and have had limited access to deep-submergence tools. By focusing efforts on these underrepresented areas, the global community can help close critical knowledge gaps while broadening participation in deep-ocean science.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE?
A valid observation requires video or imagery within 5km of the target with associated metadata submitted to the open data repository.
WHO'S ON BOARD?
A growing international coalition of organizations has already committed to supporting the Global Deep Sea Exploration Goals, including the National Geographic Society, The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project, OceanX, Schmidt Ocean Institute, Challenger 150, SpeSeas, LAMAVE, Marmoris, Oceanswell, and the Deep Ocean Observing Strategy (DOOS).
Research programs, vessels, and institutions can express interest in participating. No commitment required at this stage — just let us know you're interested.
PRESS & MEDIA
Help us get the word out about the Global Deep Sea Exploration Goals! For media outreach and interviews, contact Susan Poulton, VP, Strategy and Communications at susan@oceandiscoveryleague.org.
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