Science

Why the Deep Sea Matters

The deep ocean is Earth’s largest living space. It covers more than two-thirds of our planet, yet remains one of the least explored places on Earth. For most of history, it was thought to be barren and lifeless. But exploration in the past few decades has revealed something very different: thriving coral gardens, sponge fields, and entire communities of strange and beautiful life.

The deep sea matters because it:

Regulates our climate by storing carbon and water circulation.
Fuels productivity at the ocean’s surface through nutrient cycling.
Provides new opportunities for medicine and biotechnology.
Supports fisheries and communities relying on fish.
Inspires us with the mystery of an unexplored frontier.

A Hidden Frontier

Although the deep sea ( deeper than 200 meters/ ~656 feet) makes up around 66% of Earth, humans have directly explored less than 0.001% of it. Every expedition reveals surprises - species that never seen before, creatures adapted to crushing pressure and perpetual darkness, even ecosystems as rich and intricate as forests on land. These deep-sea “forests” or “gardens” are often built by corals and sponges, which are habitat-forming organisms. Much like trees on land, they create structure and shelter, providing a home for fish, their young, and countless other animals.

Corals and Sponges: Ocean Architects

Among the most important inhabitants of the deep are corals and sponges. They are ecosystem engineers that:

Create habitat for fish, crabs, and many other species.
Filter vast volumes of seawater, cycling nutrients.
Record past ocean conditions in their skeletons, acting as natural archives.
Form biodiversity hotspots, supporting many associated species and linking microbial food webs to larger animals (e.g. the sponge loop).

But Corals and Sponges are also Vulnerable

Corals and sponges grow slowly - often over centuries - and are easily damaged, they are at greatest risk from human fishing practices like bottom trawling, and are sensitive to rising ocean temperatures due to climate change.

Because they are long-lived and sensitive, corals and sponges act as sentinels of deep-sea change, helping us track the impacts of warming, oxygen loss, or other changes. Just like frogs and amphibians can help scientists gauge ecosystem health on land, corals and sponges can help indicate the overall fitness of deep-sea communities.

Why Everyone Should Care

The deep sea is not as remote as it seems. Climate change, ocean acidification, deep-sea fishing, plastic pollution, and emerging industries such as seabed mining are reaching into its depths. Because recovery can take centuries, yes actual centuries, impacts are often irreversible. We are at a turning point: decisions we make now will shape the future of this vast hidden world, and as a result the rest of the planet that relies on a healthy deep-sea!

The deep-sea is our shared global heritage, it shapes our climate, our food, and our future - yet it remains largely unseen. By exploring and protecting it, we are safeguarding not just ecosystems, but also the mystery and wonder that remind us of our place on this planet.

Alaska as an Example

Alaska’s deep waters hold some of the richest coral and sponge habitats in the North Pacific. In fjords and along the continental slope, they form vibrant gardens that support fish, crab, and countless other species. Local communities rely on these ecosystems for food and sustainable fisheries.

But just like elsewhere, they are vulnerable to disturbance. A single trawl can destroy habitats that took centuries to grow. Alaska’s story shows how the unseen ocean is connected to our daily lives.

Below is just a small section of video depicting the astounding life found in Alaska's deep-sea, our collective is working specifically with this footage to bring our 2025 and 2026 events to life, and to bring the deep sea to you through breathtaking fine art.

Deep Sea Corals in Alaska