Over the past few days, the team from One Ocean Foundation, led by Ginevra Boldrocchi, researcher at the University of Insubria, successfully completed a new deep-sea expedition in the Caprera Canyon, located in northeastern Sardinia, reaching depths of over 1,000 meters.

The ROV missions—conducted in collaboration with Francesco Enrichetti, marine zoologist at the University of Genoa, and Guido Gay, engineer and founder of Fondazione Azionemare—documented extraordinary benthic biodiversity, with distinct communities and complex geological structures. Among the most significant findings were protected black corals and gorgonian forests. Samples were also collected for ecotoxicological analysis, and numerous abandoned fishing gears were identified, indicating significant human impact on deep-sea ecosystems.

The project, part of Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Initiative and recognized by Mission Blue as a “Hope Spot,” aims to establish a Fisheries Restricted Area and ultimately designate the canyon as a marine protected area by 2030.

ROV technology: exploring beyond 1,000 meters

The surveys were carried out using the Multipluto and Pluto Palla ROVs, designed by engineer Guido Gay of Fondazione Azionemare. These battery-powered remotely operated vehicles, capable of reaching extreme depths, captured over 11 hours of footage showcasing the area’s remarkable diversity and sensitivity. Among the observed features were coral and gorgonian forests entangled with longlines and bottom-set fishing gear, even at great depths. The data and samples collected, which will be analyzed in the coming months, provide crucial insights for the ecological characterization of the area and for planning urgent conservation measures.

Toward protection: what’s next for Caprera Canyon

The Caprera Canyon has been a focal point of One Ocean Foundation’s research since 2019. Over the years, in collaboration with various scientific institutions, the Foundation has collected extensive data on metal and pollutant contamination, environmental DNA, and visual monitoring to assess the biodiversity of cetaceans and other marine mammals, as well as acoustic pollution in the area.

Recognized as a Hope Spot by Mission Blue in 2024, Caprera Canyon is now at the heart of One Ocean Foundation’s proposal to establish a Fisheries Restricted Area—a critical step toward achieving legal protection for the site. The Foundation aims to provide robust scientific evidence and integrated data to support Italy’s National Biodiversity Strategy 2030, which targets the protection of at least 30% of national marine waters.