From the polar waters of the Arctic to the warm seas of the Mediterranean, Europe has almost 90,000 km of coastline. Underneath the waves our seas are home to some of the most spectacular ecosystems on Earth. Ecosystems such as cold-water coral reefs and hydrothermal vents support a huge diversity of life that is both beautiful and alien, but also vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and human activities.
The HERMIONE project is focused on investigating these and other ecosystems, including submarine canyons, seamounts, cold seeps, open slopes and deep basins. Scientists from a range of disciplines are researching their natural dynamics, distribution, and how they interconnect. We also want to find out how they contribute to the goods and services we rely on, and how they are affected by natural and anthropogenic change.
A major aim of HERMIONE is to use the knowledge gained during the project to contribute to EU environmental policies. The information can be used to create effective management plans that will help to protect our oceans for the future.
Use the links at the top of this page to learn more about the science we do, and for a broad overview of the project click on the links below. Click here for more detailed information on our project structure.
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UN report on deep-sea fisheries |
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"The future of integrated
deep-sea research in Europe:
The HERMIONE project." Weaver, P. et al. 2009, Oceanography
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Download the project brochure to learn more about our areas of research. | Visit our image gallery to see amazing underwater environments and their inhabitants | Report on impact of deep-seas fisheries and implementation of UNGA resolutions |
