International Day of the Deep Seabed
Understanding the depths to care for the ocean
On the occasion of the International Day of the Deep Seabed, TBA21 invites audiences to learn more about the deep sea and highlights the role of culture and Indigenous knowledge in decisions about its future.
November 1, 2026 marks the second edition of the International Day of the Deep Seabed, promoted by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), an autonomous intergovernmental organization within the United Nations system established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The day brings attention to the principle of the common heritage of humankind, which governs the seabed and its resources beyond national jurisdiction.
Under this year’s theme, “1,000 Reasons to: Discover. Share. Use.", the campaign highlights the importance of scientific cooperation and access to knowledge. It builds on the Sustainable Seabed Knowledge Initiative, which supports biodiversity research and contributes to the goal of describing at least one thousand new deep-sea species by 2030.
Making space for other voices
TBA21 has held observer status at the ISA since 2017 and advocates for a ban on deep-sea mining. Its work connects artistic research with advocacy and support for local and Indigenous communities opposing the exploitation of the deep seabed.
At the ISA Assembly held in Kingston in July 2026, TBA21 gave its speaking slot to representatives of Jamaica’s Maroon and Taíno communities: Gaa Mang Gloria "MaMa G" Simms and Kasike Kalaan Nibonrix Kaiman. This contribution reflects a commitment to facilitating access for their representatives to international debates where decisions about the ocean are made, recognizing their knowledge and their cultural and spiritual relationships with the sea.
Approaching the deep sea through art
From Armin Linke’s research for Prospecting Ocean to Inhabitants’ series What is Deep Sea Mining?, TBA21 has supported projects examining the interests and relationships shaping the future of the deep seabed. These practices bring an environment far removed from everyday experience closer to diverse audiences and raise questions about our responsibility toward the life it sustains.
Explore speculative ocean futures on Ocean-Archive.org
On this occasion, we invite you to watch a special release of Havsrå, one of three animated short films produced as part of OcéanoFuturismos, an initiative run by TBA21–Academy in collaboration with Radical Ocean Futures. In this short film blending scientific forecasting with immersive storytelling, a direct-action activist organization mobilizes a global audience by live-streaming their operations as they attempt to disrupt illegal deep-sea mining, serving as a simulated vision of a world that might yet be.
To learn more about the state of deep-sea mining today, we invite you to explore the collection on deep-sea knowledge on Ocean-Archive.org and discover how art and research can broaden our understanding of the most pressing issues facing the ocean today.
You can also discover the scientific stories and share resources from the International Day of the Deep Seabed campaign, whose activities will continue throughout 2027.
Learn more about TBA21’s work with the International Seabed Authority.