Workshop on Deep Sea Taxonomic Standardization

The International Seabed Authority (ISA), in collaboration with the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea (MABIK), will convene a virtual workshop on ‘Deep Sea Taxonomic Standardization: Strategic Approaches for Collaboration,’ via the Webex online platform from 15 to 16 September 2020.

The workshop aims to identify how to address taxonomic knowledge gaps in a scientifically robust, coherent and collaborative way, from collection and preservation of biological samples, to identification and description of species, and archiving of samples and taxonomic data. The workshop will:

• Identify specific needs and approaches to advance deep sea taxonomic knowledge in the various faunal groups (micro- to megafauna), including tools to be developed for targeting different types of uses and users.
• Map existing institutions and resources that can provide taxonomic services, including molecular and morphological identifications, archiving facilities (online databases and curated museum collections) and training on taxonomic skills, and identify their contributions to advancing deep sea taxonomic knowledge.
• Explore possible mechanisms for collaboration among contractors, academic/scientific institutions, and other stakeholders.

It is expected that the workshop outcomes will provide the ISA Secretariat with the necessary elements to start developing a dedicated deep-sea taxonomic knowledge platform for the sustainable integration of taxonomic information, including through the ISA DeepData database. The workshop will also provide an opportunity to establish partnerships to enhance sharing of data and expertise, and promote research and capacity building on deep-sea taxonomic issues.