The lure of deep sea mining in the Pacific and Indian oceans could mean the destruction of species only just discovered on the ocean floor

Before the late nineteenth century, most people believed the deep sea was a barren wasteland, unable to support life even in its simplest form. After several expeditions by naturalist Charles Wyville Thompson, the world came to realise life not only exists, but prospers in the depths of the ocean. His three-year voyage on the HMS Challenger produced detailed illustrations of alien-like sea cucumbers, ethereal jellyfish and strange corals all thriving at 3,000 fathoms below.

The deep sea is in trouble. A recent study has found that it's being damaged by human activities, and that this is only likely to get worse. Scientists are now calling for better management and conservation of entire deep-sea ecosystems.

It's so 'out of sight, out of mind' that people have used the deep sea as a dumping ground for hundreds of years. While this is still a problem, the report's authors say that the deep sea's most pressing threat now comes from exploitation and the effects of climate change.