London, 3 June 2026 – The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project is pleased to announce a new partnership with the University of Western Australia (UWA) Oceans Institute – a multidisciplinary marine research hub focused on advancing ocean science and addressing critical marine challenges.
Established in 2010, the UWA Oceans Institute brings together the University’s research strengths across a range of disciplines, including oceanography, biology, ecology, engineering and the social sciences. Its community of more than 400 experts work collaboratively to advance understanding of marine systems and develop innovative approaches to pressing ocean challenges.
Seabed 2030 is a collaborative project between The Nippon Foundation and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO), which seeks to inspire the complete mapping of the world’s ocean, and to compile all the data into the freely available GEBCO Ocean Map. The Project is formally endorsed as a Decade Action of the UN Ocean Decade. GEBCO is a joint programme of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), and is the only organisation with a mandate to map the entire ocean floor.
Based in Western Australia and working across the Indian Ocean region and beyond, the UWA Oceans Institute collaborates closely with government, industry, research institutions and communities to translate scientific knowledge into practical outcomes that support environmental sustainability, economic opportunity and a thriving blue economy. Its strategic priorities include strengthening coastal resilience to climate change, monitoring ecosystem health, embedding First Nations knowledge and advancing sustainable development.
Commenting on the announcement, Seabed 2030 Director Jamie McMichael-Phillips said: “We are delighted to welcome the UWA Oceans Institute as the latest partner of Seabed 2030. The Institute’s multidisciplinary approach to ocean science and its strong international research network make it an important contributor to advancing global knowledge of the marine environment.”
Director of the UWA Oceans Institute, Professor Christophe Gaudin, added: “The UWA Oceans Institute is committed to advancing collaborative, multidisciplinary marine research that addresses complex ocean challenges. Through this partnership with Seabed 2030, we look forward to contributing our expertise and working together to deepen understanding of ocean systems and support sustainable solutions for the future of the ocean.”
All data collected and shared with the Seabed 2030 project is included in the free and publicly available GEBCO global grid.
ENDS
For media inquiries contact:
Pegah Souri
external.relations@seabed2030.
Find out more about the Oceans Institute here.