Co-producing deep sea science for a more equitable and inclusive future

The deep sea is present in the waters of 70% of countries, but only 17% of these have the resources, equipment, and expertise to be able to observe, research and sample these depths.

To bridge the gap and promote a more inclusive, equitable approach to deep-sea research, an array of activities needs to be undertaken. This includes long term training, deep-sea literacy activities, better accessibility to networks and resources, and co-producing research with host nation countries.

By co-producing deep-sea science, we can start to address the exclusive nature of surveying the deep sea and further ensure that the research conducted is wanted, useful and supportive of national objectives. A small step towards levelling the playing field and creating long-term mutually beneficial outcomes.

Nekton aspires to conduct deep-sea science worldwide using the values of co-production, we aim to learn, grow and improve our collaborative approaches with each of our interactions and share our learnings with others.

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Community-Led Blue Economy: Sustainable Visitor Management for Mangrove Eco-tourism in Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area

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Evidence for Nature-based Solutions: How Five Countries Built a Regionally Owned Environmental Database for Lake Victoria

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Restoring Lake Hawassa: How Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships and Nature-Based Solutions reverse Catchment Degradation

In Ethiopia’s Rift Valley, Lake Hawassa faces accelerating degradation from deforestation, pollution, erosion and rapid urbanisation – pressures no single actor can address alone. This solution establishes an inclusive multi-stakeholder partnership uniting public authorities, private companies and civil society to protect the lake through coordinated catchment stewardship.

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Creating a multi-stakeholder platform,
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Ecohydrological restoration,
Waste management,
Public and private financing; and
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