My Deep Sea, My Backyard
This is the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development in which we expect plans for better ocean conservation and management, and better ideas for sustainable blue economies. On paper such ideas seem simple enough, but the concept of sustainability is heavily dependent on the ability to carry out local research to inform plans for protection and sustainable management. Our ocean is our biggest resource, yet it is the least explored, and mostly unknown. It is a major source of provision – food, medicines - but more than this, it regulates our climate and weather patterns crucial for agriculture and livelihoods. About 73 % of geographical areas (nations and territories) have deep ocean (areas greater than 200 m in depth) within their national jurisdiction, and 62 % these areas belong to developing nations. About 81% of small island nations have Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) that are predominantly deep ocean environments. The Latin American and the Caribbean regions have the highest density of countries responsible for deep ocean environments.
There is an urgent need for the research needed to inform responsible decision making. A new global biodiversity framework seeks commitment to ensure protection of 30 % of the ocean by 2030 at the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). How do policy makers balance ocean protection and conservation with expanding blue economies? Furthermore, much of the existing knowledge of the deep ocean is based on research that has been done in a handful of locations, many of which occur in developed nations with very different economic and cultural priorities from those of small island developing states. To ensure ocean sustainability and health, there is need to make deep ocean science more accessible and affordable.
‘My
Deep Sea, My Backyard’ in Trinidad and Tobago. (a) The project team. (b) The
National Geographic Deep-Sea Drop Camera. (c) Participants learning to deploy
the National Geographic Deep-Sea Drop Camera at sea. (d) Participants learning
to prepare the National Geographic Deep-Sea Drop Camera for deployment. Image sourced
from the research article, Amon et al 2022.
My Deep Sea, My Back Yard, a pilot study
Many developing countries have little understanding of their deep ocean ecosystems and few opportunities or avenues for research, despite the fact that the deep ocean makes up significant portions of their national jurisdiction. My Deep Sea, My Backyard was a pilot project aimed at providing deep ocean access via technology and capacity building to two SIDS, Kiribati and Trinidad and Tobago. It was the first attempt to understand what might be required to build long-lasting deep ocean research capacity in these two countries. Specifically, My Deep Sea, My Backyard, focused on building interest through engagement with stakeholders who have an interest in aspects of deep ocean environments. It would consider existing norms and challenges; and provide access to innovative technology at relatively low costs.
Kiribati is an island archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. It is made up of 33 islands spanning 3900 km east to west and 2100 km north to south in the tropical Pacific. 99 % of Kiribati’s EEZ is deep ocean. Kiribati allows and is supported by major industries such as industrial fishing in the open ocean, as well as deep sea mining exploration.
Trinidad and Tobago on the other side of the world, sits along the edge of the South American continental shelf, with about 5400 km2 of the deep Atlantic Ocean, 69 % of its EEZ. TT’s offshore areas are heavily industrialized and earmarked for the extraction of oil and gas. Recently, Trinidad and Tobago generated the National Protected Areas Systems Plan which encompasses five areas of deep ocean habitats and signals the need for greater knowledge for the purpose of management and conservation.
Both countries have done little to no exploration and investigative research of the deep-sea flora and fauna. In both countries, project researchers worked with external research partners (National Geographic’s Exploration Technology Lab, University of Rhode Island) to facilitate access to low-cost equipment for exploration, including an untethered deep-sea drop camera, remotely operated vehicles, and a tethered customized camera system. Researchers engaged with several stakeholders across many fields and many branches of the government. For Trinidad and Tobago, these included University of Trinidad and Tobago, The University of the West Indies, Environmental Management Authority, NIHERST and Coast Guard. Stakeholders were introduced to the project idea. They developed research ideas and areas of interest in workshops and were provided with training on survey methods for viewing deep ocean environments.
The outcomes
The pilot study revealed many challenges to starting deep ocean research on developing island nations. In Kiribati initial workshops and trials of the novel equipment resulted in the first ever recorded exploration of the deep ocean (approximately 800 m deep) and the mesophotic zone around Gilbert’s archipelago. Partnerships were developed across disciplines and among local, regional and international entities. Apart from stakeholder engagement, there was educational reach through the deep ocean exploration that took place via pilot project.
Many logistical and financial constraints prevented the trial ocean exploration from even kicking off in Trinidad and Tobago. Both states were plagued by technological failures and other constraints. Following the initial training, it was difficult to maintain interest or use of the equipment without infrastructural support in the form of funds, equipment and boat needs, and training maintenance.
The recommendations
There is always lots to learn when breaking ground. Researchers found that creating local, regional and international collaboration in the project development and execution was hugely successful in the pilot. For projects to continue over longer periods and to be sustainable, such collaborations need to be continually supported. On the ground, leadership and management are essential to focus deep-sea research goals that are aligned with other local research endeavours, national priorities and goals. To achieve this, the work should be added to existing research programmes or institutions and should be multi-disciplinary. Long-term funding commitments from the public sector are needed to create a workforce in deep ocean research over a longer timeframe.
Technology should be low cost, easily maintained and repaired, and suitable to the environment. For example, while the customised camera set up costs $10,000 USD, which is substantially lower in cost compared to standard deep sea exploratory tools, it still isn’t affordable and is just as problematic without the in-country technical support. Training in capacity building must include equipment trouble shooting. It is necessary to be realistic and detailed when it comes to project plans, timelines and outcomes. Timelines for outreach must be extended, especially to embed outcomes into the public domain and to maintain engagement.
Read more here: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2021.0121
Reference:
Amon DJ et al. 2022 My Deep Sea, My Backyard: a pilot study to build capacity for global deep-ocean exploration and research. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 377: 20210121. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2021.0121
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