From these, they ultimately identified 788 separate species of unique crustaceans, mollusks, marine bristle worms, and other creatures living in this sought after mining zone. One of the most attractive targets for deep sea mining advocates is the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), a continent-sized abyssal plain located at a depth of around 2.5 miles between Hawaii and Mexico. In 2022, marine biologists announced the discovery of over 5,000 new species catalogued during a research excursion to the area. Credit: ROV Odysseus, Pelagic Research ServicesWith so much biodiversity left to explore, conservationists have repeatedly voiced worries about the environmental impacts of deep sea mining on regions like the CCZ. “Consequently, there is a clear need for direct assessment of the impacts of mining on faunal abundance and biodiversity at the seafloor.”With this first major project completed, marine biologists hope it can serve as a baseline for future analysis of deep sea mining impacts.