A Quarter of the World’s Ocean Floor Now Mapped Under Seabed 2030 Project (1)

The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project, which aims to complete the mapping of the world’s ocean floor by 2030, has released the latest GEBCO Grid figure, showing 24.9% of the world’s entire seabed has now been mapped.

The announcement was made by Prince Albert II of Monaco during the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) Assembly, held in the principality from May 1 to 5. The assembly, attended by representatives of its 98 member states, meets every three years to discuss new developments in technical standards and ocean mapping, and to adopt resolutions to guide its activities.

The latest GEBCO Grid figure represented an increase of 5.4 million square kilometers of new bathymetric data from last year, which equates to an area twice the size of Argentina.

Seabed 2030 is a collaborative project launched in 2017 between The Nippon Foundation and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) to inspire the complete mapping of the world's ocean by 2030, and to compile all bathymetric data into the freely available GEBCO Ocean Map.

GEBCO itself is a joint program of the IHO and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO), and is the only initiative with a mandate to map the entire ocean floor.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the assembly, Prince Albert II praised developments made in ocean mapping, and acknowledged the role of GEBCO, which is celebrating 120 years this year. GEBCO was initiated in 1903 by his ancestor, Prince Albert I of Monaco.

Mr. Vladimir Ryabinin, IOC-UNESCO executive secretary, commented: “Mapping the ocean in its entirety has been the ultimate goal of GEBCO since its birth in 1903 under the initiative of Prince Albert I of Monaco. 120 years later, knowing the geometry of our own planet is a must for achieving the objectives of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.”

“Our close collaboration with the IHO in the framework of The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 project resulted in an unprecedented acceleration of the mapped seafloor coverage in just eight years. With this improved knowledge, we can make better informed decisions about how to protect and sustainably use the ocean, so that it remains a vital resource for generations to come,” he added.

Mr. Mitsuyuki Unno, executive director of The Nippon Foundation, said The Nippon Foundation has been working with GEBCO since 2004, adding: “The program has nurtured more than 100 ocean mappers from 46 countries and the alumni have been supporting the global efforts to complete the GEBCO grid. Recent progress demonstrates the power of international collaboration and the dedication of everyone involved in this project, but we must not lose sight of the ultimate goal. This is a mission that requires the continued support and commitment of all stakeholders, and I call on everyone to join us in this important endeavor.”

(To be continued)