Deeply Connected: Nurseries in the Deep
June 2, noon to 1pm
Presentation by Dr. Cherisse Du Preez
Kilometres beneath the waves, we’ve discovered deep-sea nursery grounds that rewrite what we thought was possible for life on Earth. In the darkness, extraordinary mothers—octopuses and skates—care for their young in secret, thriving in extreme conditions.
The ocean holds over 90% of the planet’s livable space, and these hidden habitats reveal just how interconnected everything is—from mysterious, undiscovered species to people, through the life-sustaining services the ocean provides and the impacts we have in return. This is not just discovery—it’s a call to protect. In partnership with Coastal First Nations, we’re working to safeguard these extraordinary places.
About Dr. Cherisse Du Preez
Dr. Cherisse Du Preez is a marine biologist and deep-sea explorer focused on understanding and protecting life in the world’s largest habitat—the deep ocean. Using submersibles and high-resolution imagery, she studies remote ecosystems and captures never-before-seen animals and behaviors. A gifted storyteller, she shares stunning visuals of the deep to reveal its hidden wonders and inspire conservation. Her work connects science, policy, and the public to protect these vital, rarely seen parts of our planet through both cutting-edge research and powerful storytelling that brings the mysteries of the deep to the surface.
Additional resources
Take action
- Stay informed: Learn about critical decisions being made today—like deep-sea mining and carbon dumping—that will shape the future of our planet’s largest ecosystem.
- Speak up: Participate in public consultations for Marine Protected Area designations. Your voice matters in decisions that affect the ocean.
- Get involved: Follow and share the discoveries from NEDEP’s upcoming deep-sea expeditions (streaming live from the Octopus nurseries in July and the Skate nurseries in September).
- Protect from land: Dispose of waste responsibly—what we disregard on land almost always ends up in the ocean. Every action counts.
This event is part of the Sunshine Coast Ocean Festival