A Quick Guide: Deep-Sea Biodiversity

The deep sea is the largest ecosystem on Earth but it is also the least understood. The seas cover 71% of the Earth’s surface and 65% of this is open-ocean. 88% of the open oceans are deeper than 1km and 76% have depths of 3-6km (Herring, 2002). Ocean trenches are the deepest parts of the oceans (the hadal zone) the Marianas Trench is up to 10,912m deep. Such a vast habitat represents a huge challenge for marine research and for management of human impacts on marine life.

Project 2131: Pacific Islands Oceanic Fisheries Management Project

Download A Quick Guide: Deep-Sea Biodiversity.pdf