Biological data issued from Digital Depth's 2024 Western Pacific International Cruise
The "2024 Western Pacific International Cruise" was a multidisciplinary expedition conducted by the R/V Shen Hai Yi Hao, featuring the manned submersible Jiaolong. Organized by the National Deep Sea Centre (NDSC) and designed by the China Deep Ocean Affairs Administration (CDOAA), this cruise was part of the broader Digital Deep-sea Typical Habitats Programme (Digital DEPTH), a UN Ocean Decade initiative.The mission included 52 crew members from 12 Chinese organizations and eight international crew members representing seven countries: Colombia, Portugal, Australia, Mexico, Nigeria, Singapore, and Bangladesh.Over the course of 45 days in August and September 2024, the cruise accomplished 18 manned deep-diving missions in the Magellan Seamount chain, reaching a maximum depth of 5,600 meters. Surveys of the marine environment and biodiversity were carried out at over 30 investigation stations, resulting in the collection of more than 300 biological samples, including deep-sea organisms, seawater, and sediments.This umbrella BioProject compiles the genetic data and associated research issued from the cruise.