By Sian Owen, Director, Deep Sea Conservation Coalition
At the heart of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition’s (DSCC) work lies a simple truth: we cannot protect what we don’t understand.
For two decades, the DSCC has championed the need to defend one of the planet’s most mysterious, vital, and vulnerable ecosystems – the deep sea. Today, I’m proud to introduce a new chapter in that mission: the launch of our Knowledge Hub.
This new section of our website is a space dedicated to sharing, celebrating, and strengthening science and traditional knowledge that together are essential for fully understanding the vital role our deep ocean plays for all life on Earth. This is about data and peer-reviewed papers and much more. It will share stories of discovery, of ancient coral forests, of resilient deep-sea creatures, and of ecosystems that hold secrets to climate resilience and planetary health. Essentially, it includes Indigenous and traditional knowledge which has been passed down through generations and which brings a vital understanding of ocean stewardship and our connection to the deep. To ensure meaningful, lasting protection of deep-sea ecosystems, traditional knowledge and scientific research come must together as critical, complementary ingredients of a single whole.
The Knowledge Hub will bring together stories, insights, and diverse forms of knowledge from across communities. It will be a space where policymakers can access compelling scientific evidence, and scientists can share their work while honoring the deep understanding held by Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The Hub will also welcome ocean advocates — and anyone curious about the deep sea — to explore why it matters, and how the health of the ocean is inseparable from the wellbeing of people and planet alike.
We’ll be sharing reports, interviews, facts, videos, and more, all spotlighting the remarkable knowledge behind our work. We hope it becomes a go-to resource for anyone working to protect the ocean’s last frontier.
So whether you’re new to the deep sea or you’ve been diving into this work for years, I invite you to explore the Knowledge Hub and join us in learning more about the extraordinary world that lies far beneath the surface.
Because the more we know, the better we can protect.
If you’re interested in contributing to the Knowledge Hub, email us at: natalie.a@communicationsinc.co.uk