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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
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.
Preface & Introduction
Deep-sea exploration and research are limited by the expense, inefficiency, and inequitable access to the existing tools and resources worldwide.
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
Capacity assessment is critical for managing the cumulative impacts of deep-ocean resource development.
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.
Inequitable global access to the resources needed for deep-ocean exploration and research has led to deficiencies in knowledge and governance.
Global Overview
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.
Detailed results on the deep-sea capacity of 186 geographical areas divided into six regions, including indices for regional comparisons.
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.
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.
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
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.
Detailed results on the deep-sea capacity of 44 African geographical areas, including indices for subregional comparisons.
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.
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
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.
Detailed results on the deep-sea capacity of 55 geographical areas in the Americas, including indices for subregional comparisons.
Resultados generales de la capacidad para hacer investigación en aguas profundas en 55 países de las Américas, divididos en cuatro subregiones: América del Norte, América Central, el Caribe y América del Sur.
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.
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
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.
Detailed results on the deep-sea capacity of 33 Asian geographical areas, including indices for subregional comparisons.
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
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.
Detailed results on the deep-sea capacity of 26 European geographical areas, including indices for subregional comparisons.
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
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.
Detailed results on the deep-sea capacity of 28 geographical areas in Oceania, including indices for subregional comparisons.
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
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.
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
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
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.
Questions asked in the 2022 Global Deep-Sea Capacity Assessment Survey.
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.
Annexes
A detailed list of the assessment leads, regional research team, data and visualization team, invited authors, sponsors, and collaborators.
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 used in the 2022 Global Deep-Sea Capacity Assessment.
Data Tables
List of global GeoAreas, income groups, data sources, and exclusive economic zones.
List of GeoAreas, income groups, data sources, and exclusive economic zones in Africa.
List of GeoAreas, income groups, data sources, and exclusive economic zones in the Americas.
List of GeoAreas, income groups, data sources, and exclusive economic zones in Asia.
List of GeoAreas, income groups, data sources, and exclusive economic zones in Europe.
List of GeoAreas, income groups, data sources, and exclusive economic zones in Oceania.
List of Small Island Developing States income groups, data sources, and exclusive economic zones.
List of non-Small Island Developing States income groups, data sources, and exclusive economic zones.
Global list of dependencies, their regions, sovereign nations, and research status.
Citation
Bell, K.L.C., Quinzin, M.C., Poulton, S., Hope, A., & Amon, D. (Eds.). (2022). 2022 Global Deep-Sea Capacity Assessment. Ocean Discovery League, Saunderstown, USA. http://doi.org/10.21428/cbd17b20.48af7fcb
