Cruise title: 2025 NEPDEP Expedition – Seeps and Heat
Partners: NEPDEP – Council of the Haida Nation, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, Ocean Networks Canada, Royal BC Museum, University of Victoria
Lead PIs: Cherisse Du Preez and Heidi Gartner
Location: North-east Pacific.
Dates: 7th July 2025
The overarching objective of this multidisciplinary joint expedition (North-East Pacific Deep-sea Exploration Project – NEPDEP ) is to support the management and monitoring of proposed marine conservation areas. We will visually explore the geology and life of cold seeps along the west coast of Vancouver Island. Cold seeps are areas where seeping fluids rich in minerals and reduced compounds form chemosynthetic communities that are Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) as they are deep-sea ‘hotspots’ for biological productivity and diversity. Additionally we will conduct geothermal studies to better understand the hydrothermal connectivity of the seamounts and surrounding area of the Tuzo Wilson Seamount Complex – home of the newly discovered, hydrothermal discharge, deep-sea nursery on the summit of NEPDEP 58 Seamount. Join us as we share the joy of discovery and our incredible remotely operated vehicle imagery by watching our dives live (https://www.nepdep.com/2025expeditionseeps) and by following our social media @nepdep_, #nepdep!