Notheast Pacific Deep-Sea Diversity Expedition 

The Northeast Pacific Deep-Sea Diversity Expedition will explore the hidden biological diversity across seamounts, hydrothermal vents, and cold seeps offshore of Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii, Canada. The science co-created by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Council of the Haida Nation, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, and Ocean Networks Canada will contribute to protection, awareness, and a better understanding of these remarkable and fragile ecosystems in a changing ocean. 

The main objectives of this multi-nation, interdisciplinary, ship- and shore-based team include:

1. Mapping and naming uncharted areas;
2. Exploring life on newly discovered seamounts;
3. Collecting the first benthic ecological time-series data on previously visited seamounts;
4. Searching for cold seeps and their chemosynthetic communities;
5. Confirming the existence, activity, and community type of a little-known hydrothermal vent field;
6. Documenting the oceanography around all three deep-sea ecosystems;
7. Documenting marine mammals, seabirds, and other transient species; and
8. Science outreach, communication, and community engagement.

Anyone, anywhere, can join the deep-sea discovery by (1) checking out our expedition webpage with the submersibles live stream video, control room audio, chat window, and outreach event schedule, or (2) following #PacificSeamounts2022 on your favourite social media platform or follow one of the expedition’s leads, Dr Cherisse Du Preez, as they document their experience (https://twitter.com/CherisseDuPreez).