6 July 2016 Insurance

XL Catlin sponsors deep ocean research

XL Catlin, a specialist reinsurer, will be sponsoring a survey to carry out research on the deep ocean ecosystem to boost its understanding of climate-related change in the marine environment.

Deep Ocean Survey is the third ocean-focused programme supported by XL Catlin, following the Catlin Arctic Survey and the XL Catlin Seaview Survey, which continues to explore and document the world's coral reefs.

It will be used by marine biologists to measure physical, chemical and biological indicators for the purpose of assessing the function, health and resilience of the deep ocean.

Nekton, a science charity, will partner with XL Catlin and a group of ocean scientists and other stakeholders to carry out the survey.

Paul Jardine, XL Catlin's chief experience officer, said: “This partnership is confirmation of our commitment to actively learn more about the risks we could face in future. We believe that collecting and sharing reliable and impartial data can play an important part in this.

"As a re/insurance company there is an immediate need to accelerate our knowledge of how the oceans are changing. We need to understand the risks that businesses, society and ecosystems will face in the future."

Mike Maran, XL Catlin's chief science officer, added: "The oceans play a vital role in regulating our climate and controlling weather patterns. They underpin the health of our planet and yet we have little scientific data about the ocean as a driver of change.

"To manage risk effectively we must fully understand it, and at XL Catlin we're committed to actively learning more about the risks that affect our future. This survey helps us all expand our knowledge of the importance the oceans play on our daily lives."

Alex Rogers, Nekton's principal scientist and professor of Conservation Biology at the University of Oxford, commented: "The XL Catlin Deep Ocean Survey will create the first standardised methodology for marine biologists across the world to build on."

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