Towards the implementation of the Latin American Deep Sea Exploration Network (LADEN)

The Latin American Deep Sea Exploration Network (LADEN) is an initiative aimed at building a collaborative, interdisciplinary, and sustainable network across Latin America to explore, protect, and sustainably manage deep-sea ecosystems. The concept of LADEN is based on the recent Deep Blue Initiative that forms a global platform for deep-sea research cooperation, mobilization, funding and equitable capacity sharing. This network will leverage the region’s local expertise, international partnerships, and philanthropic support to ensure that Latin American countries, particularly those with less developed infrastructure, can contribute to and benefit from cutting-edge marine science and technology. Through this collective effort, LADEN will prioritize scientific research, technological innovation, early-career scientists’ development, best practices and standardize research methods and data analysis and capacity building and sharing to address critical environmental challenges in the deep ocean, aiming for biodiversity conservation and ocean literacy.  This initiative brings together experts, organizations, and governments from multiple disciplines and regions to identify key information gaps and resolve bottlenecks in deep-sea exploration. LADEN will build upon this collaborative foundation to expand its efforts in Latin America, working across national borders to share resources, knowledge, and expertise.

LADEN is scientifically based on ongoing national initiatives in deep-sea research across Latin America, such as cold-water coral studies, seabed habitat mapping, geohazards assessment, biodiversity conservation efforts, among others. One of LADEN’s core objectives is to provide the essential baseline data needed to better understand the often- overlooked deep-sea areas within the region. This data will support the effective management and designation of new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), help achieve the global 30x30 conservation goals and complement the provisions of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) treaty. Additionally, LADEN will foster collaboration by connecting diverse deep-sea research communities and across and governmental actors accros Latin America and linking them with global counterparts and established networks, such as the Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) and Challenger 150, an African-based network focused on deep-sea exploration. Through these united efforts, LADEN will position Latin America as a decisive contributor to global marine conservation and sustainable deep-ocean management.