Global Deep-Sea Capacity Assessment

The 2022 Global Deep-Sea Capacity Assessment, conducted by the Ocean Discovery League, is a baseline assessment of the technical and human capacity for deep-sea exploration and research in every coastal area with deep ocean worldwide. This assessment includes online survey and manual research data for 186 geographical areas divided into six global regions: Europe, Asia, Northern America, Africa, Oceania, and Latin America & the Caribbean. The results demonstrate the unique regional and subregional challenges and opportunities facing deep-sea research and exploration in each location.

The 2022 Global Deep-Sea Capacity Assessment is an official activity of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

Executive Summary

Executive Summary & Key Findings

The 2022 Global Deep-Sea Capacity Assessment offers a deep dive into the human and technical capacity for deep-sea exploration and research in every country and territory with deep ocean in their exclusive economic zones.

Connections

Translations (3):

Resumen Ejecutivo y Principales Conclusiones

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Résumé Exécutif et Conclusions Principales

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Sumário Executivo e Principais Descobertas

Preface & Introduction

Why Assess Global Deep-Sea Capacity?

by Katherine L.C. Bell

Deep-sea exploration and research are limited by the expense, inefficiency, and inequitable access to the existing tools and resources worldwide.

Introduction

by Maud C. Quinzin

The 2022 Global Deep-Sea Capacity Assessment is a benchmark for understanding local capacity in 186 countries and territories worldwide to explore and research the deep-sea environment over the next decade and beyond.

Forewords

Identifying a path toward deep-sea sustainability and resilience

by Jacqueline Evans

Capacity assessment is critical for managing the cumulative impacts of deep-ocean resource development.

Understanding local deep-sea knowledge and capacity within the Indian Ocean

by Sheena Talma

Equitable and inclusive deep sea science can only be achieved once we understand the capacity gaps and take grass-roots action to address these gaps.

Halting decline in ocean health through deep-ocean stewardship

by Peter Thomson

Inequitable global access to the resources needed for deep-ocean exploration and research has led to deficiencies in knowledge and governance.

Global Overview

Global Summary

High-level findings on the deep-sea capacity of 186 geographical areas, divided into six global regions: Europe, Asia, Northern America, Africa, Oceania, and Latin America & the Caribbean.

Global Results

Detailed results on the deep-sea capacity of 186 geographical areas divided into six regions, including indices for regional comparisons.

Resumen Global • Panorama general de los resultados sobre la capacidad de aguas profundas de 186 países, divididos en seis regiones del mundo: Europa, Asia, América del Norte, África, Oceanía y América Latina y el Caribe.

Résumé Global • Aperçu des résultats sur la capacité en eau profonde de 186 pays, divisés en six régions du monde: Europe, Asie, Amérique du Nord, Afrique, Océanie et Amérique latine et Caraïbes.

Sumário Global • Descobertas detalhadas sobre a capacidade de exploração do mar profundo de 186 áreas geográficas, divididas em seis regiões: Europa, Ásia, América do Norte, África, Oceania e América Latina & Caribe.

Africa

Region Summary: Africa

High-level findings on the deep-sea capacity of 44 geographical areas in Africa, divided into five subregions: Northern Africa, Western Africa, Middle Africa, Eastern Africa, and Southern Africa.

Region Results: Africa

Detailed results on the deep-sea capacity of 44 African geographical areas, including indices for subregional comparisons.

Résumé régional : l’Afrique • Aperçu des résultats sur la capacité en eau profonde de 44 pays en Afrique, divisés en cinq sous-régions: Afrique du Nord, Afrique de l’Ouest, Afrique centrale, Afrique de l’Est et Afrique australe.

Sumário por Região: África • Descobertas detalhadas sobre a capacidade de exploração do mar profundo de 44 áreas geográficas da África, divididas em quatro sub-regiões: Norte da África, África Ocidental, África Central, África Oriental e Sul da África.

Americas

Region Summary: Americas

High-level findings on the deep-sea capacity of 55 geographical areas in the Americas, divided into four subregions: Northern America, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America.

Region Results: Americas

Detailed results on the deep-sea capacity of 55 geographical areas in the Americas, including indices for subregional comparisons.

Resumen de la Región: América • Panorama general de los resultados sobre la capacidad de aguas profundas de 55 países de las Américas, divididos en cuatro subregiones: América del Norte, América Central, el Caribe y América del Sur.

Résumé régional : les Amériques • Aperçu des résultats sur la capacité en eau profonde de 55 pays d’Amériques, divisés en quatre sous-régions: Amérique du Nord, Amérique centrale, Caraïbes et Amérique du Sud.

Sumário por Região: Américas • Descobertas detalhadas sobre a capacidade de exploração do mar profundo de 55 áreas geográficas da América, divididas em quatro sub-regiões: América do Norte, América Central, Caribe, América do Sul.

Asia

Region Summary: Asia

High-level findings on the deep-sea capacity of 33 geographical areas in Asia, divided into four subregions: Western Asia, Southern Asia, Eastern Asia, and Southeastern Asia.

Region Results: Asia

Detailed results on the deep-sea capacity of 33 Asian geographical areas, including indices for subregional comparisons.

Sumário por Região: Ásia • Descobertas detalhadas sobre a capacidade de exploração do mar profundo de 33 áreas geográficas da Ásia, divididas em quatro sub-regiões: Ásia Ocidental, Sul da Ásia, Ásia Oriental, e Sudeste Asiático.

Europe

Region Summary: Europe

High-level findings on the deep-sea capacity of 26 geographical areas in Europe, divided into four subregions: Northern Europe, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Southern Europe.

Region Results: Europe

Detailed results on the deep-sea capacity of 26 European geographical areas, including indices for subregional comparisons.

Résumé régional : l’Europe • Aperçu des résultats sur la capacité en eau profonde de 26 pays d’Europe, divisés en quatre sous-régions: Europe du Nord, Europe occidentale, Europe de l’Est et Europe du Sud.

Oceania

Region Summary: Oceania

High-level findings on the deep-sea capacity of 28 geographical areas in Oceania, divided into four subregions: Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesia, and Australia & New Zealand.

Region Results: Oceania

Detailed results on the deep-sea capacity of 28 geographical areas in Oceania, including indices for subregional comparisons.

Résumé régional : l’Océanie • Aperçu des résultats sur la capacité en eau profonde de 28 pays en Océanie, divisés en quatre sous-régions: Micronésie, Mélanésie, Polynésie et Australie/ Nouvelle-Zélande.

SIDS & Non-SIDS

Summary: SIDS & Non-SIDS Income Groups

High-level findings on the deep-sea capacity of 58 SIDS and 200 non-SIDS, divided into four income groups: high income, upper-middle income, lower-middle income, low income, and not categorized.

Results: SIDS & Non-SIDS Income Groups

Detailed results on the deep-sea capacity of 58 SIDS and 200 non-SIDS, divided into income groups: high income, upper-middle income, lower-middle income, low income, and not categorized.

Conclusion

Toward an Equitable Deep Sea Future

by Katherine L.C. Bell and Diva Amon

Tremendous changes are not only possible; they are on the near horizon. With technological advancements toward broader access to the deep sea and a global call for increased access to tools and training we now have the ability to establish more deep-sea capacity worldwide.

Methods

Data Collection & Analysis • This assessment employed two core methods—an online survey and manual research—to seek information regarding the human and technological capacities for deep-sea exploration and research.

Manual Research Protocol • Manual research data was used to fill in many of the gaps left by the survey responses. These are the protocols used to collect manual research data for this assessment.

2022 Global Deep-Sea Capacity Assessment Survey • Questions asked in the 2022 Global Deep-Sea Capacity Assessment Survey.

Encuesta Global de Evaluación de la Capacidad del Mar Profundo
Étude Mondiale pour l’Évaluation des Capacités en Eau Profonde
Pesquisa Global para Avaliação de Capacidade do Mar Profundo

Annexes

Authors & Contributors • A detailed list of the assessment leads, regional research team, data and visualization team, invited authors, sponsors, and collaborators.

Acknowledgments • It took a global team to complete this assessment and the report, and it would not have been possible without many passionate people who contributed to its evolution and preparation.

References • References used in the 2022 Global Deep-Sea Capacity Assessment.

Citations

Bell, K.L.C., M.C. Quinzin, S. Poulton, A. Hope, & D. Amon. (Eds.). (2022). 2022 Global Deep-Sea Capacity Assessment. Ocean Discovery League, Saunderstown, USA. http://doi.org/10.21428/cbd17b20.48af7fcb

Bell, K.L.C, M.C. Quinzin, D. Amon, S. Poulton, A. Hope, O. Sarti, T.E. Cañete, A.M. Smith, H.I. Baldwin, D.M. Lira, S. Cambronero-Solano, T.-R.A. Chung, B. Brady. (2023). Exposing inequities in deep-sea exploration and research: results of the 2022 Global Deep-Sea Capacity Assessment. Front. Mar. Sci., 09 August 2023. Sec. Ocean Observation. Volume 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1217227