National research programme Deep sea (PEPR GFM)

Exploring the deep sea to understand and preserve it

The marine realm plays a crucial role in the Earth’s global equilibrium. With increasing human pressures, it is becoming urgent to understand how the deep-sea functions, and its role in the natural cycles. The GFM research programme aims to assess the ocean health, investigate its internal dynamics and question our relationship with these extreme environments, in order to better define the rules for its protection and imagine responsible and sustainable uses for it.

The deep-sea, from the water column to the abyssal seafloor, forms a complex system where solid earth, hydrosphere and biosphere interact in a interdependent way. The GFM programme is based on an unprecedented collaboration between the Earth and Life sciences and the Humanities and Social sciences. Together, they are tackling major challenges: understanding abyssal biodiversity and deep-sea dynamics, studying energy and matter flows at its interface,
exploring the various perceptions coexisting, analyzing the political and environmental economy, and identifying the impacts of human activities on these fragile ecosystems.

Potential applications will include marine resource management and adaptation to global change. Ultimately, these advances could also inspire new approaches to health, energy and materials, taking advantage of the unique properties of deep-sea organisms.

This programme aims to promote dialogue between researchers, economic actors and citizens in order to build a common view of our collective responsibilities towards these global commons, which are essential to the future of the Earth. The generated knowledge will feed into a long-term ocean geostrategy and the development of a sustainable blue economy.