In this 24th edition of Deep-Sea Life we’re once again spoiled with all the exciting deep-sea activities that our community is doing around the world. Fresh from featuring at the 17th Deep-Sea Biology Symposium in Hong Kong last January, we hear from the Costa Rica Desconocida, REDRESS, TwinDEEPS, CoralNewZ and ALONGate projects. In addition, we read about faunal inventories of methane seeps off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, the impressive trans-Pacific expedition of EV Nautilus in 2024, the same vessel’s ambitious plans for 2025, and the formation of the largest network of deep-sea MPAs in the North Atlantic.
If all that isn’t enough, we include talented depictions of large benthic foraminifera, the hypnotic painting of a cigar comb jelly chosen as this issue’s cover image, and charming drawings of deep-sea biodiversity by young schoolchildren in India. And let us not forget about the stimulating and enjoyable time we had during DOSI Day 2025.
Sadly, we must also bid a respectful farewell to esteemed and longstanding members of our community who are no longer with us: the malacologist Prof. Takashi Okutani and polymath Prof. Charles ‘Chuck’ Garrett Messing. They will be missed, though their influence lives on.
Justly recognised, however, are Javier Sellanes and Erin Easton, who have been awarded the 2025 Citation of Merit from The Explorers Club for their efforts in describing over 150 new species along seamounts in the southeast Pacific. Also honoured is Katy Croff Bell, who has been included in the 50-strong class of 2025 of The Explorers Club for her tireless championing of equitable and inclusive deep-sea exploration. Congratulations all around!
All that remains is to thank all who have generously contributed to this latest edition of Deep-Sea Life, as well as the faithful and unfailing team of editors behind the scenes: Drs Abigail Pattenden (University of Limerick, Ireland), Eva Ramirez-Llodra (REV Ocean, Norway), Franck Lejzerowicz (University of Oslo), Bhavani Narayanaswamy (SAMS, UK) and Michelle Taylor (University of Essex, UK). To close, please join me in wishing Maria godspeed in chipping away her email mountain (for all our sakes!), and we look forward to her return for the next issue.
Chris Barrio Froján
DOSI Programme Officer, University of Southampton