More than 70% of our planet is ocean – and 90% of that ocean is deep sea

Academic spotlight: Kerry Howell, Professor of Deep-Sea Ecology

More than 70% of our planet is ocean – and 90% of that ocean is deep sea.

Those numbers alone offer an insight into the critical importance of understanding what is in these hidden environments. But they don’t even scratch the surface when it comes to the challenges scientists face in trying to achieve that.

Reaching regions more than 200 metres below the surface of the sea is anything but easy. And with such vast regions to cover, how do you know where to look and what technology to use, let alone what you are looking for?

But with industries such as fishing and mining beginning to plunge to these depths, the need to find solutions is uniting the global scientific community. And one of the key figures driving this deep sea science revolution is Kerry Howell, Professor of Deep-Sea Ecology at the �鶹��ý.

“In global terms, we have an incomplete understanding when it comes to the deep seas,” she says. “In fact, if you go back to the 1800s it was thought they contained no life at all. Various expeditions in the 19th century changed that. But the fact remains that most of our deep sea knowledge is only decades old and less. We have huge holes to fill, and very little time to do it.”

To try and plug those knowledge gaps, Kerry is spearheading an international call for a decade of concerted effort to enhance understanding of the deep seas.

Supported initially by scientists in 17 countries, the programme – named – will coincide with the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, which runs from 2021-2030.

It is hoped it will generate new geological, physical, biogeochemical, and biological data through a global cooperative of science and innovation. These data will be used to understand how changes in the deep sea impact the wider ocean and life on the planet.

The deep seas and seabed are increasingly being used by society, and they are seen as a potential future asset for the resources they possess,” Kerry says. “But with human use comes a greater degree of public interest. Managing these resources sustainably requires that we first understand deep-sea ecosystems and their role in our planet, its people and its atmosphere.

Kerry’s personal journey to this point has, to some extent, been as challenging as the voyage of scientific discovery she is now advocating.

From an early age, she was fascinated by the sea and the first home she can remember was accompanied by the soundtrack of curlews in the estuary nearby. She learned that ‘marine biologist’ was an actual job from watching Jaws. But it was not something that seemed attainable until her biology teacher mentioned he had studied marine biology at degree level and encouraged Kerry to apply to universi