DOSI

DOSI Town Hall at Ocean Sciences Meeting - Glasgow, Scotland
2026-02-25 12:45 - 13:45 UTC
DOSI Town Hall
Deep-Ocean Science as the Foundation for a Thriving Global Ocean (TH33F)
Wednesday 25 February 2026, 12:45-13:45
DOSI is hosting a Town Hall at the Ocean Sciences Meeting in Glasgow, focused on the essential role of deep-ocean science in underpinning a healthy, resilient, and productive global ocean. This session will bring together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss how deep-ocean knowledge supports effective ocean governance, informs international agreements, and enables sustainable management across areas within and beyond national jurisdiction.
The Town Hall will provide space for open discussion, community exchange, and identification of priorities for advancing deep-ocean science in support of global ocean goals.
The deep ocean is a vast Earth-spanning ecosystem, kilometres deep and continuously yielding new discoveries. It is also attracting increasing commercial attention. Nascent deep-sea mining and marine carbon dioxide removal industries are potential significant new pressures on top of ongoing impacts from climate change, fisheries and offshore energy extraction. We must shed light on these darkest areas of the ocean to safeguard their future. The context of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement and the UN Ocean Decade provide powerful international frameworks within which to rally a global community of deep-ocean stewards. The deep-ocean science community has already been proactive and successful in engaging with the UN Ocean Decade from the outset. This event gathers representatives of deep-ocean-focused Decade Actions to provide updates of their achievements, followed by discussions with the audience to identify future opportunities to enhance engagement of the community across the Decade. This call halfway through the Decade for further scientific participation in the future of global ocean sustainability and policy comes at a critical time, with momentum to generate much needed deep-ocean knowledge.

Moderators

Maria Baker – University of Southampton
Eva Zoe Ramirez-Llodra – REV Ocean

Presenters

Kirsty McQuaid – Nelson Mandela University
Fengping Wang – Shanghai JiaoTong University
Adrian Martin – National Oceanography Centre Southampton
Leslie M Smith – Your Ocean Consulting, LLC
Louise Allcock – University of Galway
Alison Wale – Uu-a-thluk, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council

31st Session of the ISA (Part I), Legal and Technical Commission - Kingston, Jamaica
2026-02-23 - 2026-03-06

Ocean Sciences Meeting - Glasgow, Scotland
2026-02-23 - 2026-02-27
Ocean Sciences Meeting 2026
22–27 February 2026 | Glasgow, Scotland

DOSI will be actively participating in the Ocean Sciences Meeting (OSM) 2026, one of the world’s largest and most influential gatherings of ocean scientists, policymakers, technologists, and practitioners. Held in Glasgow, the meeting provides a critical forum to advance ocean science and ensure it informs decision-making at a time of accelerating global change.
DOSI’s engagement at OSM 2026 reflects our commitment to ensuring that deep-ocean science is visible, integrated, and influential across research, governance, and policy discussions — from climate change and biodiversity to emerging technologies and management of human activities.
DOSI at OSM 2026
DOSI will contribute to the meeting through hosting a dedicated exhibition space (Booth #5) and a Town Hall session, presenting a poster, and by convening and supporting a wide range of sessions relevant to the deep ocean, spanning science, observation, governance, communication, and cumulative impacts.
DOSI Town Hall
Deep-Ocean Science as the Foundation for a Thriving Global Ocean (TH33F)
DOSI is hosting a Town Hall focused on the essential role of deep-ocean science in underpinning a healthy, resilient, and productive global ocean. This session will bring together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss how deep-ocean knowledge supports effective ocean governance, informs international agreements, and enables sustainable management across areas within and beyond national jurisdiction.
The Town Hall will provide space for open discussion, community exchange, and identification of priorities for advancing deep-ocean science in support of global ocean goals.

Deep-Ocean Sessions at OSM 2026
OSM 2026 features a strong programme of sessions relevant to the deep-ocean community, including several convened or supported by DOSI working groups and members:

Climate Change in the Deep Sea: Impacts, Interventions, and Cumulative Stressors (CC14B): Convened by the DOSI Climate Change Working Group, this session explores how climate-driven changes interact with other pressures in deep-sea ecosystems.
Seamounts at the Nexus of Ocean Science (DS21A & DS24A): Convened by the DOSI Fisheries Working Group, these sessions highlight the ecological, biogeographic, and management importance of seamounts.
Creating Deep Impact: Strategic Alignments Across Deep Ocean Observing, Modelling, Exploration, and Technology (DS14A, DS31A & DS33A): Sessions focused on strengthening coordination across deep-ocean research infrastructures and approaches.
From High Seas to EEZs: The Role of Deep-Sea Science in Shaping Knowledge-Based Ocean Policy Decisions (DS34A): Examining how deep-sea science informs policy across jurisdictional boundaries.
Environmental Impacts of Deep-Sea Mining (HC34C & HC51A): Addressing scientific evidence, uncertainties, and policy relevance related to seabed mining activities.
The Deep-Pelagic Realm as a Nexus for Ecological Connectivity (ME24D): Exploring connectivity across depth zones and ecosystems.
Making the Invisible Visible: Communicating and Advancing Capacity of Overlooked and Undervalued Ocean Science (ED12A & ED14B): Sessions focused on science communication, equity, and capacity development.
Applying GIS to Analyze and Communicate Ocean Conditions (DO24A): Showcasing tools to support analysis and decision-making.
FathomNet: Accelerate Analysis of Ocean Visual Data (TH43D): Highlighting advances in image-based deep-ocean data analysis.

Geneva Science Diplomacy Anticipation Summit
2025-10-15 - 2025-10-17
The 2025 Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipation Summit will be held from 15-17 October 2025 at CERN.
The Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipation Summit is the leading global platform where science meets diplomacy to drive impactful change. Held annually in Geneva since 2021, the GESDA Summit convenes 1000+ scientists, diplomats, policymakers, innovators, executives and citizens to explore how cutting-edge advancements can address humanity’s most pressing challenges. From quantum computing and neurotechnology to climate action and global health, the Summit fosters high-level dialogue and strategic collaborations that transform breakthrough science into real-world solutions.
Summit objectives:

Showcase cutting-edge scientific advancements and their associated opportunities in the next 5, 10 and 25 years
Strengthen the interface between science, diplomacy, the private sector and society to drive dialogue and collaboration on opportunities emerging from the labs
Foster multistakeholder communities of purpose to advance global solutions

What you can expect from this year’s GESDA Summit:

Anticipatory briefings from world-renowned scientists and academics on the 5, 10 and 25 year horizon of topics from GESDA’s Science Breakthrough Radar®.
Interactive discussions with decision-makers about the potential impact of scientific and technological breakthroughs for the future of people, society and our planet.
Closed-door workshops to advance GESDA’s most mature solution ideas and initiatives on quantum, space diplomacy, ecoaugmentation and more.
Political assessment from leaders around the globe about their contribution to anticipatory science and diplomacy.
Experiential demonstrations and role-play simulations.

Full programme, available here.
For more information click here.

IUCN World Conservation Congress
2025-10-09 - 2025-10-15 | Abu Dhabi
The IUCN World Conservation Congress is the largest gathering of nature conservation experts, leaders and decision-makers in the world. It will help shape global priorities for nature conservation and climate change for the coming decade and beyond.

ISA 30 Part II
2025-06-23 - 2025-07-25 | Jamaica, Jamaica
The 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority Part II

Part II

Legal and Technical Commission
23 June – 4 July 2025

Finance Committee
2 – 4 July 2025

Council
7 – 18 July 2025

Assembly
21 July – 25 July 2025

June Climate Meetings (SB 62)
2025-06-16 - 2025-06-26 | Bonn, Germany, Germany

UNOC3: DOSI Blue Zone Side Event
2025-06-13 10:30 - 11:30 (Europe/Paris) | UNOC3 Blue Zone Room 3, Nice, France
UNOC3 DOSI Blue Zone Side Event

Title: Safeguarding Deep-Sea Biodiversity and the Climate: Integrating Science and Policy for a Sustainable Future
Session ID: 123
Date: Friday 13 June 2025
Time: 10:30-11:45 am
Venue: Room 3
Panel:
• Annette Gibbons – DFO Deputy Minister, Canada
• Arnoldo André Tinoco – Minister of Foreign Affairs & Culture, Costa Rica
• Vidar Helgesen – Executive Secretary IOC-UNESCO
• Grethel Aguilar – Director General IUCN
• Anna Metaxas and Lisa Levin – Deep-sea scientists
Moderator:
• Christine Gaebel – BBNJ expert
Additional partners/experts in audience:
• Representatives/experts from AOSIS, Scripps, MBARI, OCP, IPBES, IPOS, science.
Abstract: The deep ocean contains over 90 percent of the living space for life on Earth, and the remarkable diversity and collective actions of its inhabitants are critical for human and planetary well-being. While it can seem remote and unchanging, deep-sea biodiversity faces clear and increasing threats from human activities such as deep-sea mining, fishing, pollution, and proposed ocean-based climate change mitigation options, as well as from climate change itself. To ensure ocean ecosystems can continue to support a liveable planet, biodiversity, climate and sustainability goals must be aligned. This may require new and enhanced governance partnerships and policy solutions, informed by impartial, up-to-date ocean science. This is becoming especially important in light of the new challenges faced by the global science community and established governance structures. In this session, a panel of deep-sea scientists and policy experts will shine a light on linkages between the many different ocean governance processes that can benefit from a greater understanding of how the deep ocean works. There is a growing recognition that joined-up thinking is required at the nexus of biodiversity, climate, food, health and water, to ensure effective and sustainable management across sectors, supported by robust international laws. A new and unprecedented level of science and policy diplomacy will be required for success.

UNOC3: DOSI Green Zone Side Event
2025-06-12 17:00 - 19:00 (Europe/Paris) | Auditorium, Citadelle de Villefranche, France
UNOC3 DOSI Green Zone Side Event

You will need a ticket to attend this event. Tickets are free and available here.
A light snack and drinks will be provided.
Title: Safeguarding Deep-Sea Biodiversity and the Climate: Integrating Science and Policy for a Sustainable Future
Session ID: 065
Date: Thursday 12 May 2025
Time: 5-7 pm
Venue: Auditorium, Citadelle de Villefranche
Panel:
• TBC
Moderator:
• TBC
Additional partners/experts in audience:
• TBC
Abstract: The deep ocean contains over 90 percent of the living space for life on Earth, and the remarkable diversity and collective actions of its inhabitants are critical for human and planetary well-being. While it can seem remote and unchanging, deep-sea biodiversity faces clear and increasing threats from human activities such as deep-sea mining, fishing, pollution, and proposed ocean-based climate change mitigation options, as well as from climate change itself. To ensure ocean ecosystems can continue to support a liveable planet, biodiversity, climate and sustainability goals must be aligned. This may require new and enhanced governance partnerships and policy solutions, informed by impartial, up-to-date ocean science. This is becoming especially important in light of the new challenges faced by the global science community and established governance structures. In this session, a panel of deep-sea scientists and policy experts will shine a light on linkages between the many different ocean governance processes that can benefit from a greater understanding of how the deep ocean works. There is a growing recognition that joined-up thinking is required at the nexus of biodiversity, climate, food, health and water, to ensure effective and sustainable management across sectors, supported by robust international laws. A new and unprecedented level of science and policy diplomacy will be required for success.

Glimpses of the Deep DOSI Side Event | UNOC Green Zone
2025-06-10 14:45 - 15:30 (Europe/Helsinki)
Glimpses of the Deep
DOSI Side Event | UN Ocean Conference | Green Zone
Location: La Baleine, Room MantaDate: Tuesday 10 June 2025Time: 14:45 – 15:30 CEST
Join the DOSI in the Green Zone at the UN Ocean Conference for a 45-minute journey into the deep ocean!
Session Title: Glimpses of the Deep – Exploring the Deep Ocean and DOSI’s Role at the Science–Policy Interface
This engaging side event will showcase stunning visuals and short films highlighting the beauty, mystery and value of the deep ocean – an environment that makes up over 96% of Earth’s habitable space. DOSI experts will be on hand to explain the organisation’s work at the frontier between deep-ocean science, conservation, and international policy.
What to Expect:

A visual experience of deep-ocean ecosystems
Insight into the challenges and opportunities of deep-ocean governance
A brief multilingual introduction by DOSI Advisory Board member Ana Colaço
Live Q&A with Ana, Chris Barrio, and other DOSI ambassadors
Learn more about DOSI’s vision, mission, and efforts to ensure that deep-ocean biodiversity and ecosystem services are sustainably managed and equitably protected

Whether you’re curious about the deep sea or working on ocean policy, this session offers a chance to learn, connect and be inspired.
Come for the films, stay for the conversation.No registration required – all Green Zone visitors welcome!

2nd Expert Scoping Workshop: Charting future horizons
2025-06-10 - 2025-06-12 | ISA, Jamaica
Harnessing advanced technologies for the protection and sustainable use of the international seabed area: “Monitoring”

DOSI at 2025 UN Ocean Conference
2025-06-09 - 2025-06-13 | UNOC3 Blue Zone Room 3, Nice, France
DOSI will be participating in the Third United Nations Ocean Conference in France from 7 to 13 June 2025
For a full list of DOSI events during the conference,
visit DOSI at UNOC3

OOSC 2025
2025-06-02 - 2025-06-05 | UNOC3 Blue Zone Room 3, Nice, France
One Ocean Science Congress
Nice, France | 3-6 June 2025
We have compiled a list of events, presentations and posters led DOSI ambassadors and members. If you are attending OOSC 2025 be sure to join in. View the full programme here.
Deep-ocean related events at the One Ocean Science Congress (DOSI events in blue)

Type
Date
Speaker(s)
Title / Description
Time (CEST)
Location

Presentation
3-Jun-2025
Pradeep Singh
A pause or moratorium for deep seabed mining in the Area?
16:10-16:20
Blue Zone, Port Lympia, Room 6

Presentation
3-Jun-2025
Anna Metaxas
Applying marine functional connectivity knowledge to meet global conservation targets
16:55
Blue Zone, Port Lympia Room 5

Presentation
3-Jun-2025
Lisa Levin
Balancing Deep-Ocean Biodiversity, Carbon, Resources and Resilience in the Search for Climate Solutions
16:50-17:00
Blue Zone, Port Lympia Room 6

Presentation
3-Jun-2025
Pei-Yuan
Talk on CliMetS
10:50–11:00
Blue Zone, Port Lympia Room 5

Workshop
3-Jun-2025
Laura Elsler, Lissette Victorero, Angelee Annasawmy, Lisa Levin and ECOP network
Illuminating the Future of the Twilight Zone
Registration
11:30-12:15
La Baleine, Salle Manta

Poster
3–5-Jun-2025
Marcel Jaspars
BBNJ Agreement: Considerations for Scientists and Commercial End Users
–
–

Poster
3–5-Jun-2025
Ana Colaco
Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems: a concept to be applied
–
–

Town Hall
4-Jun-2025
Kelsey Barnhill
Connecting the Depths: Collaborative Deep Ocean Networks Shaping Ocean Governance
09:00-10:00
Blue Zone, Port Lympia, Room 6

Town Hall
4-Jun-2025
Lisa Levin
Government-focused principles for ethical and effective marine carbon dioxide removal
09:00–10:00
Blue Zone, Port Lympia Room 7

Presentation
4-Jun-2025
Sabine Gollner
Environmental impacts of deep-sea mining
–
–

Presentation
4-Jun-2025
Lissette Victorero
Towards Global Ecosystem-Based Management for Benthic Seamount Ecosystems
15:00–15:10
Session T4-4, Port Lympia Room 5

Presentation
4-Jun-2025
Muriel Rabone
Deep discovery: marine genetic resources and societal challenges under BBNJ
–
–

Presentation
5-Jun-2025
Angelee Annasawmy
ECOP Session 2 – Roadmap for scalable deep-sea research
08:30–10:00
Blue Zone, Port Lympia Room 7

Presentation
5-Jun-2025
Christine Gaebel
From science to action – Realising knowledge-based governance for BBNJ
16:30
Blue Zone, Port Lympia Room 8

Presentation
5-Jun-2025
Ellycia Harrould-Kolieb
Assessing food security through the lens of ocean acidification
09:20–09:30
Session T7-4, Room 3

Presentation
5-Jun-2025
Anna Metaxas
Monitoring Progress of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
16:40
Blue Zone, Port Lympia Room 8

Side Event
TBD
Lucy Woodall (with multiple institutions)
Critical considerations for effective plastics policy
–
–

Presentation
5-Jun-25
Ana Hilario
Successful new approaches for equitable deep-ocean science-policy engagement
14:30-14:40
Room 4

GeoHab 2025
2025-05-12 - 2025-05-16 | Key West, The Florida Keys, USA
GeoHab (Marine Geological and Biological Habitat Mapping) is an international association of marine scientists studying and mapping geophysical, biophysical and geomorphic indicators of benthic communities, species diversity and distribution.
GeoHab’s 2025 annual conference will be held for the first time in the Southeastern United States, in unique Key West, from Monday May 12 to Friday May 16.
Important dates
Abstract submission deadline: January 17, 2025 Postponed to January 24, 2025
Ron McDowell Award application deadline: January 17, 2025 Postponed to January 24, 2025
Abstract acceptance notification: February 17, 2025
Early-bird registration closes: March 31, 2025
Registration ends: April 30, 2025

A Volcanic Lost World Research Symposium
2025-05-06 - 2025-05-07 | australian national maritime museum, Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney, Australia
‘A Volcanic Lost World’: A research symposium to develop a deeper understanding of Lord Howe Rise and the South Tasman Sea
The Lord Howe Rise and South Tasman Sea Research Symposium will take place on 6-7 May 2025 at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney, organised by the High Seas Alliance and WWF with scientific expertise from the Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative, and supported by the Australian Government.
The Symposium will bring together around 80 eminent researchers, thinkers, government representatives and practitioners from a range of disciplines to share knowledge, research and experience. The aim is to collectively build a rich picture of the Lord Howe Rise and South Tasman Sea areas, drawing on historical knowledge and research through to recent and ongoing initiatives.
The main proceedings will comprise the presentation of around 30 papers by leading scientists on a range of topics
relevant to the areas, from leatherback turtles to cold-water corals; from the biogeography of the areas to cultural and ecological knowledge of species and uses. In addition, two panels will be convened on First Nations Knowledge and Ocean Governance. The opening keynote will be delivered by James Bradley, author of Deep Water, a hymn to the beauty, mystery and wonder of the ocean. High-level remarks will be delivered by Dr Filimon Manoni, the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, and Ambassador Peter Thomson, the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean.
Click to view the Final Program
Click to view the Book of Abstracts
For more information, see the initial press release announcing the Symposium.

BBNJ PrepComm
2025-04-14 - 2025-04-25
1st Session of the Preparatory Commission for the Entry into Force of the BBNJ Agreement and the Convening of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement
The first session of the BBNJ Preparatory Commission begins today at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and will take place over the next two weeks (12-25). DOSI delegates are on the ground, ensuring that the deep sea is a central part of the conversation. This historic meeting is setting the stage for the entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement, which aims to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) — nearly two-thirds of our global ocean.
Delegates will decide key structural elements:

Rules of procedure for the future Conference of the Parties (COP)
Terms of references and rules of procedure of the subsidiary bodies established under the Agreement
Selection process for the Scientific and Technical Body
Location and structure of the Secretariat
Financial and implementation mechanisms

As the world takes this next step toward a unified ocean governance framework, DOSI is working towards advancing strong, science-based approaches in policy decisions to ensure the deep sea — Earth’s largest, least known ecosystem — is effectively protected.
Daily coverage of the event produced by Earth Negotiations Bulletin is available here.

ISA 30 Part I
2025-03-03 - 2025-03-28 | Jamaica, Jamaica
The 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority Part I

Legal and Technical Commission
3 – 14 March 2025

Council
17 – 28 March 2025

DOSI side event on the 20th March

BBNJ Symposium 2025
2025-02-18 - 2025-02-19 | Orchard Hotel Singapore, Singapore

DOSI Day 2025
2025-01-12
[event description]
