VentBase 2012
The VentBase 2012 workshop ran from the 10th – 12th April, hosted by National University of Ireland (NUI),
Galway, in association with InterRidge and the International Seabed Authority (ISA). The aim of the workshop
was to establish standardised methods for assessing the ecological impacts of commercial mineral extraction at
seafloor massive sulphides (SMS) deposits. The main objective was the production of guidelines for outlining
exploratory survey methodologies at SMS. VentBase 2012 was attended by 35 participants representing 18
organisations from 12 countries.
The first day of the three day workshop included presentations from scientists and stakeholders. The second
and third day involved the splitting of the participants into three groups. These groups concentrated on:
environmental impact assessments, environmental sampling and the development of guidelines for biological
sampling at SMS deposits. The final day concluded discussions with a presentation of findings from each of the
three groups. The results of the working groups are being collated into a guidance document that will be
presented to the ISA. This document will be made publicly available in due course.
The workshop has realised the need for international collaboration and made progress in the standardisation of
methodologies. A follow up workshop is planned for December 2012.
Presentations from the workshop
1. Stakeholder Engagement
• Deep ocean seafloor mineral extraction: environmental and social responsibility: Sam Smith, Nautilus
Minerals Ltd.
• The Azores Marine Park: Ana Colaco, University of the Azores
• Conservation strategies: Eamonn Kelly, NPWS
2. Sampling Methodology Standards
• Getting the bigger picture: using precision ROV videography to quantify faunal micro-distribution at
hydrothermal vents: Jon Copley, University of Southampton/NOC
• Hydrothermal vent communities: food webs, trophic ecology and reservations about preservations: Nick
Fleming, Queen’s University Belfast
• Genetics: why and how?: Jens Carlsonn, UCC
• Temporal dynamic of a hydrothermal mussel assemblage using a real-time multidisciplinary observatory at
the mid-Atlantic ridge: Pierre Marie Sarradin, Ifremer
• Statistical considerations in determining ecological effects of mining at hydrothermal vents: Bob Kennedy,
NUI Galway
• Geochemical analyses: Peter Croot, NUIG
• Modelling concepts and approaches to study bio-physical connections over complex deep-sea topography:
Christian Mohn, Aarhus University
• The International Seabed Authority: Adam Cook, ISA
3. Recent Surveys
• Assessing the impact of mining seafloor massive sulphide deposits: lessons from the New Zealand experience:
Ashley Rowden, NIWA
• Habitat monitoring and ecological assessment after scientific drilling expeditions on hydrothermal cent fields
in Okinawa Trough: Hiroyuki Yamamato, JAMSTEC
• 2012 Korea’s Expedition of hydrothermal vent fields in Tonga Arc: Ju Se-Jong, KORDI
• Beyond blogging – using new media tools to reach stakeholders: Andrew Thaler, DUML
Participants
Sam Smith, Alison Swaddling, Adam Cook, Kanae Komaki, Chrisitian Mohn, Pierre Marie Sarradin, Peter Croot,
Bob Kennedy, Jens Carlsson, eamon Kelly, Anthony Grehan, Aodhan Fitzgerald, Patrick Collins, John Morris,
Adrian Patterson, James Forde, Mark Johnson, Hiroyuki Yamamoto, Hirome Watanabe, Dhugal Lindsay, Se-Jong
Ju, Kiseong Hyeong, Wonnyon Kim, Ashley Rowden, Nicholas Fleming, Ana Colacao, Patricia Conceicao, Miguel
Souto, Jon Copley, Verity Nye, Leigh Marsh, Rachel Boschen and Andrew Thaler.
Acknowledgments
Patrick Collins, Jens Carlsson and Bob Kennedy and NUI Galway for hosting the workshop. INDEEP kindly
sponsored the event.