Challenges and Opportunities in the Study of the Deep Ocean On October 3rd, Ana Hilário, a researcher at CESAM, University of Aveiro, took part in the SOA Aveiro Journey and presented the topic “Challenges and Opportunities in the Study of the Deep Ocean.”🐙🌊✨

At the University of Aveiro’s Research Summit 2025, PhD student Laura Trovão presented “Valuation of Deep-Sea Ecosystem Services – an Overview,” earning the Best Communication Award for originality, clarity, and impact, boosting international recognition.🔬🌍

In June 2025, our student Ana Carolina Lopes (University of Aveiro) boarded the research vessel RV Pelagia for the TwinDeeps Expedition 🚢. For 2 weeks, the team sailed from Las Palmas to Leixões, exploring the depths of the Gorringe Bank A huge thank you to CIIMAR, IMR, and NIOZ ! ✨

During European Researchers’ Night 2025, our lab team brought deep-sea science to Fábrica da Ciência Viva, Aveiro; Torreira & Armamar, with games and talks that inspired curiosity, promoted inclusion, and highlighted the value of ocean research.🌊🔬🌍

Between September 15-19, our PhD student Laura Trovão attended the MAF-WORLD COST Training School in Genova, learning to value and restore marine ecosystems using ecological and economic tools, exploring coral conservation, and diving in the Portofino MPA. 🌊🪸💙

Our PhD student joined the One Ocean Expedition , sailing 22 days from Azores 🇵🇹 to Greenland 🇬🇱 aboard the Statsraad Lehmkuhl. Between science , sailing, and steering the helm,and even climbing the rigging, it was a unique chance to rethink how we engage with the ocean . UT Austin Portugal Program

📺DS series: NW Portuguese Margin #Porto & #Aveiro #canyons are #biodiversityhotspots, yet largely unknown! #BioProtect maps these deep-sea habitats & co-designs #AreaBasedManagement tools with fishers to protect #VMEs & support sustainable fisheries. bitly.cx/ZTif #MissionOcean #HorizonEU

📺DS series: NW Portuguese Margin #BioProtect in 🇵🇹 develops and demonstrates tools for marine planning➕biodiversity mapping with local fishers input and citizen science! 🧐Curious to learn more? ➡️https://bitly.cx/H1Db #LEK #VME #eDNA #Portugal #MissionOcean #HorizonEU

🗺️Help Map the Ocean with #BioProtect! Live by the sea? Rely on it for work or life? 💬 Tell us how you use the ocean in Celtic Seas, Dunmore East & Tralee Bay & what matters most. 🎙️Your voice matters! 📝 Take the survey now: bitly.cx/MJc36 #MissionOcean #HorizonEU

🗺️Delighted to present the BioProtect Marine Planner powered by a #GIS-enabled database and a #PPGIS data-gathering tool at the d-real #SummerSchool in @uniofgalway.bsky.social! 🙏Thanks to the organisers & engaged PhD candidates! #MissionOcean #HorizonEU #BioProtect #BioProtectMarinePlanner

Show casing @uaveiro.bsky.social deep-sea research in Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan

🌍🚨 New global study finds huge blind spots in ocean biodiversity data. Why it matters: without better data, whole ecosystems risk being left out of conservation plans. 🗺️ Read: “Mapping the Gaps: A Global Assessment of Ocean Biodiversity Data” #DeepSea #OceanScience #DataEquity #Challenger150

If you want to read more, check out the full #openaccess manuscript, available here shorturl.at/dypTc, or our press release available here shorturl.at/1BPPe. @challenger150.bsky.social @plymuni.bsky.social @plymouthmarine.bsky.social @oneoceanhub.bsky.social @unoceandecade.bsky.social

This analysis was made possible through the development of a statistically-based, custom pipeline, enabling authors to classify ~19 million OBIS records as either benthic or pelagic datasets. We’re thrilled to say that both the final datasets, and the code to recreate them are #OpenAccess too!

So, if we are to prioritise ocean biodiversity data collection to deliver a sustainable ocean, where should we focus?

🚨 Deep-sea discoveries alert! In the Southern Ocean's deepest trench, @schmidtocean.bsky.social expedition discovered never-before-seen hydrothermal vents and deep-sea species. Explore these beauties ↩️ @oceancensus.bsky.social @plymouthmarine.bsky.social @bas.ac.uk @universityofessex.bsky.social

An international coalition of marine scientists convened at #UNOC3 in #Nice today to discuss unprecedented collaborative efforts to map the #biodiversity of the #AtlanticOcean’s #DeepSea ecosystems, in turn enabling better protection for #VulnerableMarineEcosystems 👇 pml.ac.uk/news/singula...

🔍Mapping the Gaps: New global study reveals huge biases in benthic & pelagic biodiversity data – but what does this mean for science & conservation, & how can we address it? Read “Prioritisation of Ocean Biodiversity Data Collection to Deliver a Sustainable Ocean” to find out! shorturl.at/dypTc – 🧵:

An international coalition of marine scientists have set themselves a task unlike any other: an ‘unprecedented’ mission to map the #DeepSea #biodiversity of the #AtlanticOcean, to enable better protection for the #VulnerableMarineEcosystems within it 👇 oceanographicmagazine.com/news/scienti...

🌊 We're hiring a Crew Manager for REV Ocean! In this role, you’ll oversee all aspects of crew operations – from deck officers to ROV pilots, from medical staff to hospitality crew – ensuring safe, efficient, and mission-ready operations. 👉 revocean.bamboohr.com/careers/30 #oceansolutions

Bacterial symbionts enjoy their seasonal produce! Our new work shows how chemosynthetic symbionts adjust their energy sources during seasonal upwelling in the Tropical Eastern Pacific, highlighting the resilience of animal-microbe partnerships to environmental change journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...

From student to researcher, a #career in #science can come with a high price tag. @drcraigmc.bsky.social explores how wealth shapes opportunity in #STEM and proposes structural changes to support #equity and inclusion. 🧪 plos.io/4edGlY4

Our ocean biodiversity knowledge is insufficient 🌍 #MarineEcology #Biodiversity #Oceans #Mapping #Assessments www.eurekalert.org/news-release...

#HappeningSoon 🤗 📆 11 June ⏰ 13.00-15.00 CET 📍 RV Meteor, Nice 🇫🇷 👉 Don't miss our event at #UNOC3 ✍️ Register here: bit.ly/43M4elV #MPA #MissionOcean #SaveOurSeas 🌎 🌊

Heading to the Green Zone at #UNOC2025 today? Join us at 14:45 CEST for Glimpses of the Deep – a 45-minute dive into the biodiversity & governance of the deep ocean. 📍 La Baleine – Room Manta 🕒 14:45–15:30 CEST 🎬 Short films, live Q&A, and stories from the deep

Think Deep! launches this Saturday for World Ocean Day, with Episode 1 tackling why deep-ocean science and policy matters now more than ever. Watch the trailer: buff.ly/PkdX66u

Amazing, inspiring and empowering keynote from Sheena Talma at #OOSC When you think of a group of marine explorers, who do you think of? (Think about that)

🔹 Anna Metaxas addressed the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, exploring how we can track our impact and progress in deep-ocean ecosystems. 📸 Anna Metaxas presenting

Join us at #UNOC3 for a special side event spotlighting the Pink Flamingo Society—a unique alliance of philanthropic ocean research vessel operators making waves in marine science! #OceanDecade #PinkFlamingoSociety #Philanthropy4Ocean #SDG14 #OceanScience #UNOC2025

This support is crucial for unlocking 'sleeping' deep-sea biodiversity data and making it open and FAIR, actively contributing to the EU #DigitalTwinOcean. Open FAIR data is a key step in understanding and protecting #DeepSea ecosystems and boosting their visibility in marine data portals.

#OOS2025 is underway! 🌊 Discover how #Challenger150 is linking deep-sea research with global policy through training, coordination & inclusivity. 🧭 Successful new approaches for equitable deep-ocean science-policy engagement 📍T10-9 | Thurs, 5 June | 14:30 | Room 4 #SciencePolicy #OceanDecade

Excited to be in Paris for the DTO-BioFlow Data Grants Holders Workshop! Discussing crucial topics like effective biodiversity data management & sharing in open-access data repositories like EMODnet Biology. Let's make data FAIR for better conservation! #DTOBioFlow #BiodiversityData #OpenScience

From regional knowledge sharing to inclusive policymaking, this session highlighted how collaboration is key to shaping effective, equitable deep-ocean governance—especially in a rapidly changing ocean. 🤝 Let’s keep building global bridges from the seafloor to decision-making.

This morning, DOSI, IPOS, and the African Network of Deep Sea Researchers (ANDR) came together to co-host the Town Hall event at #OOSC2025 “Connecting the Depths: Collaborative Deep-Ocean Networks Shaping Ocean Governance” #DeepOcean #OceanGovernance #BBNJ #DOSI #OneOcean #OOSC2025

Did you catch the trailer for Think Deep! yet? This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a journey into one of the most important, least understood ecosystems on Earth the #DeepOcean. Episode 1 drops this World Ocean Day – 8 June. Watch the trailer: buff.ly/UXgiM23

🌊 Strengthening science-policy links at #OOS2025 🗓 5 June | 🕝 14:30 |📍Room 4 | T10-9 Ana Hilário, Kerry Howell & Maria Baker: Successful new approaches for equitable deep-ocean science-policy engagement Join the conversation shaping global ocean governance. #Challenger150 #SciencePolicy #DeepOcean

🚀 Our newsletter 🗞️ is out today 🥳 🤩 and have we got news to share! 🧐 You can view 👓 it here ➡️ bit.ly/4jiwCRh OR 🤗 even better, subscribe and have it delivered straight to your inbox! 📥 👇 👇 👇 bit.ly/3NzKQ2C #MissionOcean #EUMissions #BioProtect 💙

🤗 Join #BioProtect at the 🌊 UN Ocean Decade 2025 METEOR side-event for a fun game session where you will receive all the clues needed to design an #MPA corridor! 🧩 🤩 The best part? It's aboard a ship! 🛳️ 😉 Don’t miss it! ✍️ Register here: bit.ly/43M4elV #UNOC3 #MissionOcean #SaveOurSeas 🌎 🦈

Wrapping up the BAIT project 🎯 Our latest post reflects on its impact — from practical training in Cabo Verde to growing deep-sea research networks across Africa. 🌍🌊 Read more: challenger150.world/building-loc... #Challenger150 #ANDR #DeepSeaScience

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I’m excited to be brought on to a small part of the amazing @bioprotectproject.bsky.social 🌊 Here’s to participatory GIS with knowledge holders and community members!

📣 JUST RELEASED: ODL has a new study in Science Advances, revealing that less than 0.001% of the deep seafloor has been visually explored. That leaves 66% of Earth unseen by human eyes. This tiny area is about a 10th of the size of Belgium. Yes, THAT small 🔍. Shocked? www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

👏 Day 2️⃣ and our meeting is in full speed! 🏃‍♀️ 📍We are in #Reykjavik for our 🥇 Annual Meeting and our day is filled with interesting discussions and presentations! 🤗 🌟Celebrating one year of #BioProtect! 🥳 #MissionOcean #HorizonEU

With @asofs97.bsky.social, former student at @uaveiro.bsky.social and now ECOP in the @bioprotectproject.bsky.social on the project first annual meeting in Iceland. #BioProtect #MissionOcean #HorizonEU

🤗 Our 1st General Assembly meeting starts tomorrow! 🌟 👉 You are invited to join our #OpenSession at 11 am CEST! ⏰ 👀 Check out 🔗 bit.ly/3Y1C8Qt for more details! #BioProtect #MissionOcean #HorizonEU 🐬🐳🐠🪼

📢 BioProtect celebates 1️⃣ year of collaboration & marine protection!🥳 ✨ We are holding our 1st General Assembly in Reykjavík & you are invited‼️ 🤗 Join our Open Session on 6 May at 11 am CEST. ℹ️ To join & find out more: bit.ly/3Y1C8Qt #MissionOcean #HorizonEU 💙

What's the best text message you've ever received? Does it beat this one? 🦑 Watch the moment our Principal Investigator, Dr Michelle Taylor, announced the first-ever sighting of a live juvenile #ColossalSquid to the rest of the expedition team. 👇