Kingston, Jamaica – 29 July 2024 — The Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge, presented the fifth edition of the Award for Excellence in Deep-Sea Research to Dr. Rengaiyan Periasamy from India during the twenty-ninth session of the Assembly.
Upon recommendations of an independent Committee, the Secretary-General announced that Dr. Periasamy, a deep-sea benthic biologist, had been selected to be the fifth awardee for his pioneering research on the Central Indian Ridge and the Southwest Indian Ridge.
Currently affiliated with the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research of India, Dr. Periasamy’s research was commended for informing the assessment of polymetallic sulphide exploration in the Indian Ocean over the years.
A notable achievement in Dr. Periasamy’s career was a 2020 hydrothermal expedition to the Indian Ocean ridges. During this expedition, he collected over 100 deep-sea specimens from previously unexplored areas with diverse topography, including seamounts, oceanic core complexes, inactive/active sulphide regions and plume zones. The Advisory Committee noted that his work has been instrumental in establishing environmental baselines for impact assessments.
Dr. Periasamy has described 12 new benthic organism species from the Mid-Indian Ocean Ridge system, publishing his findings in 10 international, peer-reviewed research journals. These discoveries will significantly contribute to environmental impact assessments in deep-sea hydrothermal sulphide mineralization regions. His current research focuses on transdisciplinary approaches and innovative ocean governance, further solidifying his position as a leading expert in deep-sea benthic biology.
Mr. Tidiani Couma, Secretary of External Relations, Office of International Affairs, Monaco, reaffirmed Monaco’s commitment to advancing marine scientific research and congratulated Dr. Periasamy. “It is gratifying to witness the dedication of numerous scientists working in marine research for environmental protection. This is particularly significant as Monaco has been actively involved in this field for many years, striving to protect marine ecosystems for the benefit of humanity,” Mr. Couma said.
Mr. Couma continued, “The progress we see today would not have been possible without the efforts and perseverance of advocates for scientific research on the oceans. These scientists will guide us in the sustainable use of deep-sea resources. The Secretary-General’s award serves as tangible proof of ISA’s ongoing commitment to this area. We are pleased to present Dr. Periasamy with the fifth edition of this prize in recognition of his substantial contribution to marine scientific research.”
ISA Secretary-General Mr. Michael W. Lodge commented on Dr. Periasamy’s achievements: “Dr. Periasamy’s work has significantly contributed to advancing deep-sea research. It is very encouraging such achievements in support of our collective engagement towards better understanding and monitoring of deep-sea ecosystems for the benefit of all.”
Dr. Periasamy received the prize from India, saying, “It is an honour to accept the ISA’s Secretary-General’s Award for Excellence in Deep-Sea Research. This recognition inspires me to continue striving for excellence and exploring the wonderous biodiversity of the deep sea.”
The Secretary-General’s Award for Excellence in Deep-Sea Research is one of eight voluntary commitments registered by ISA at the United Nations Ocean Conferences in 2017 and 2022 (#OceanAction40845). It is awarded annually to young researchers under 45 from developing countries and is supported by the Principality of Monaco. It recognizes the excellence of their contribution to advancing scientific knowledge of the deep-sea environment and developing sound and efficient regulatory frameworks. Previous editions of the Award were presented to Dr. Diva Amon from Trinidad and Tobago (2018), Dr. Mauricio Shimabukuro from Brazil (2019), Dr. Kirsty McQuaid from South Africa (2021) and Ms. Rima Browne from the Cook Islands (2023).
About ISA
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is an autonomous intergovernmental organization mandated by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to manage the mineral resources of the seabed beyond national jurisdiction for the shared benefit of humankind. ISA is committed to the principle that all economic activities in the deep seabed, including deep-seabed mining, must be regulated and responsibly managed using the best available scientific evidence for the benefit of all nations of the world. ISA works to ensure that the voices of all States, including developing States and other stakeholders, are effectively heard in discussions around the sustainable development of the deep seabed.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Mr. Philip Janikowski, Communications Specialist, ISA, pjanikowski@isa.org.jm