Since 2019, One Ocean Foundation is dedicated to the protection of the Canyon of Caprera, home to the largest submarine canyon system in northeastern Sardinia, in the central Tyrrhenian Sea.

The initiative aims to gather scientific evidence to promote effective conservation measures, such as the designation of a Fisheries Restricted Area (FRA) and a Marine Protected Area (MPA).

To achieve this goal, the Foundation collaborates with research institutions, universities and local associations to collect critical data on the ecology of the area and the distribution of cetaceans, key indicators of marine ecosystem health.

Why it matters

• The Canyon of Caprera is a biodiversity hotspot and a strategic crossroad in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
• Despite being adjacent to protected areas, the Canyon currently has no official protection, leaving its biodiversity at risk.
• The area is increasingly threatened by human activities, such as maritime traffic and fishing.

Our 2026 expedition marked an exciting milestone as we completed the final 4 of 11 ROV missions with the Multipluto submarine, exploring the last unexplored section of Caprera Canyon between 300 and 500 metres.

The results exceeded our expectations.

We documented two new species: thriving white coral reefs were dominated by Madrepora oculata, and we also identified extensive muddy-bottom habitats populated by the sea pen Funicolina quadrangularis, hosting an exceptional variety of benthic communities, including Norway lobster and deep-water rose shrimp. This rich environment confirms Caprera Canyon as one of the Mediterranean's richest biodiversity hotspots. With the canyon now explored across depths from 130 to 1,050 metres, it has become one of the most extensively studied deep-sea habitats in the region.

Continued scientific research is more important than ever

Alongside this exceptional biodiversity, our expedition also discovered lost fishing lines and other marine litter scattered across the seafloor, demonstrating that even these far away deep-sea ecosystems are increasingly affected by human activities. Only by understanding these fragile habitats through continuous scientific research we can develop effective measures to protect them and ensure that their extraordinary biodiversity is preserved for future generations.

The main goal of this project is to build solid scientific knowledge to support the protection of the Canyon's biodiversity, with the ambition of achieving its recognition as an Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA) and a Fisheries Restricted Area (FRA), paving the way towards the designation of a Marine Protected Area (MPA).

Thanks to years of dedicated research and advocacy, the Canyon of Caprera has been officially nominated as a Hope Spot®, a recognition granted by oceanographer Sylvia Earle’s Mission Blue initiative. Today, the area joins the global network of more than 140 Hope Spots® and stands as the second one in Italian waters, following the Aeolian Islands.

ROV dives conducted between 200m and >1,000m depth allowed us to observe 16 deep-sea benthic species, survey 2.6 km of seabed linearly, and complete 11 hours and 40 minutes of useful deep-sea video footage.

Marine species spotted at the Canyon of Caprera (@LucaBittau, SEAME)