New book edited by SMMI member Maria Baker and colleagues provides the first authoritative, scientific overview of natural capital in the deep ocean

The book entitled Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean was edited by Maria Baker, Eva Ramirez-Lodra and Paul Tyler and published by Oxford University Press. It looks at the relationship between deep-sea resources and protection of biodiversity and function in deep-sea systems, incorporating an ecosystem approach.  It also discusses the problems associated with cumulative impacts in the deep ocean including climate change and ocean acidification, as well as the social implications of deep-sea exploitation.

Dr Maria Baker is Senior Research Fellow within the School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton at the University of Southampton and is co-lead for the international Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) and the International Network for scientific investigation of DEEP-sea ecosystems (INDEEP). The overarching aim of these two programmes is to ensure deep-sea science informs national and international policy process in a way that is unique and essential at this critical time for the future of ocean biodiversity.

Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean is aimed at marine biologists and ecologists, oceanographers, fisheries scientists and managers, fish biologists, environmental scientists, and conservation biologists. It will also be of relevance and use to a multi-disciplinary audience of fish and wildlife agencies, NGOs, and government departments involved in deep-sea conservation and management.