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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Democratizing Discovery of the Ocean Floor

Map the Gaps | Hexplorer (
Non-governmental organization (NGO)
)
#SDGAction61302
Description
Intro

Map the Gaps is a global non-profit dedicated to ocean floor exploration, where over 70% of the seabed remains undiscovered. Founded in 2019 by Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE winners, the organization provides open-access bathymetric data through international collaboration, ensuring information is accessible to everyone from coastal communities to global researchers.

Operating on a multi-faceted service model, the group supports scientific expeditions, provides technical training, and manages complex data processing. A flagship initiative is Hexplorer, a digital experience where users symbolically adopt hexagonal seafloor tiles. This crowdfunding model connects citizen science with high-tech exploration, reinvesting funds into regional mapping and local conservation efforts.

By merging technology with community engagement, Map the Gaps protects marine ecosystems and fosters a sustainable blue economy. This mission preserves vital ocean resources for future generations, transforming how we discover and safeguard our planet’s last frontier.

Description

The objective of Map the Gaps and the Hexplorer initiative is to accelerate the complete mapping of the world’s ocean floor by 2030, directly supporting UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water). Currently, less than 25% of the seafloor has been mapped with high-resolution bathymetry. 

This project addresses this critical data deficit by fostering a diverse, global community of ocean explorers and providing the technology and training necessary to survey uncharted waters. Map the Gaps operates as a non-profit dedicated to increasing a broad range of explorers, from a wide variety of communities including high net worth individuals, commercial maritime operators, corporations and regular people. It empowers early-career scientists and others to be involved in discovery expeditions, ensuring that the mission to map the ocean is a collaborative, global effort.The Hexplorer project serves as the operational catalyst for these goals, utilizing a hexagonal mosaic overlaid on a global map that provides context and content for what has been explored and what remains to be discovered. By providing high-quality seafloor data, the project enables: 

  • Scientific Research: Understanding ocean circulation, climate regulation, and tsunami forecasting. 
  • Conservation: Identifying vulnerable marine ecosystems and informing the management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). 
  • Sustainable Policy: Supplying the foundational evidence required for science-based decision-making in the blue economy. 

Ultimately, these initiatives aim to provide "the science we need for the ocean we want," turning the unknown deep into a transparent resource for global sustainability.

Implementation of the Project/Activity

The Hexplorer user journey is designed as a seamless transition from curiosity to contribution. It transforms the vast, often abstract concept of ocean exploration into a personal, interactive, and historic mission. Here is the step-by-step evolution of a Hexplorer: Phase 1: The Spark of Discovery The journey begins wherever people gather—online, in classrooms, or at sea. Users are introduced to the mission through a diverse ecosystem of touchpoints: The Network: Word of mouth and a vigorous partner network. Digital Presence: Targeted social media, SEO, AI-driven search results, and strategic advertising. Immersive Education: Dedicated school programs and onboard experiences provided by ocean cruise operators, connecting travelers directly to the waters they are traversing. Phase 2: Entering the Hexplorer Ecosystem Upon entering the Hexplorer app, the user is no longer a spectator; they are an explorer. The interface is designed for intuitive onboarding, stripping away the complexity of geospatial data and replacing it with a sense of wonder. Phase 3: Guided Exploration The app acts as a digital compass, guiding users toward areas of the ocean that resonate with their personal interests. Using an interest-based discovery engine, users can gravitate toward: The Abyssal Frontiers: The deepest, most mysterious parts of the planet. Conservation Hubs: Coastal areas and reefs vital for biodiversity. Maritime History: Known or suspected sites of hundreds of thousands of undiscovered shipwrecks. Geological Wonders: Deep-ocean mountains and canyons that rival any terrestrial range. Phase 4: Hex-Level Engagement As users zoom into the H3-tessellated grid, they can select individual Ocean Hex Tiles to unlock a deep repository of metadata. Each tile reveals its unique story: Status: Is it currently mapped (high-resolution) or unmapped? Discoveries: Notable biological or geological features found within. Registry Info: Current adoption status and the price to adopt. Technical Data: Approximate depth, temperature, and specific environmental metadata. Phase 5: Adoption and the Global Registry Once a user finds a hexagon that "speaks" to them, they can move to Adoption. Flexible Scaling: Users choose the size of their impact, from primary Level 4 tiles down to nested child hexagons. Commensurate Rewards: Contributions are rewarded based on size, ranging from digital badges to physical framed prints of their mapped territory. Historical Legacy: Every adoptee is officially recorded in the Unofficial Global Registry of Ocean Hex Tiles. This serves as a permanent record, cementing the user's place in history as a contributor to the last great exploration on Earth. Phase 6: Community and Collective Progress The journey does not end with a transaction; it evolves into a long-term connection. Hexplorer provides the tools to: Share the Experience: Integrated social tools allow users to showcase their adoption and the "why" behind their choice. Track Progress: Users receive updates on the mapping status of their tile and neighboring hexagons, watching the "gaps" fill in in real-time. Join the Movement: Users become part of a global community where ordinary citizens, corporations, and scientific groups work side-by-side to complete the map of our world. The Vision: By turning data into a legacy, Hexplorer ensures that the mystery of the deep is solved not just by institutions, but by a global community of modern-day pioneers.

Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer

The Map the Gaps financial model is built on a transformative "Adopt-to-Accelerate" engine. By gamifying and democratizing ocean exploration through Hexplorer, we generate a scalable funding stream that turns global curiosity into localized maritime power. Unlike traditional non-profit models, the vast majority of capital raised through ocean hex tile adoptions is channeled directly into the water—fostering equity, innovation, and a sustainable blue economy. 1. The Funding Engine: Scaling Micro-Contributions The Hexplorer app transforms the daunting task of mapping 70% of the planet into 50,000 manageable Level 4 "Primary Hexagons" (and millions of nested children). By offering adoptions at various price points—from grassroots $100 tiles to $100,000 Corporate investments—Map the Gaps creates a high-volume, diversified revenue stream. While a small fraction of these funds ensures the operational leaness and sustainability of the company, the lion’s share is earmarked for global impact. 2. Capacity Building and the Blue Economy We believe that those closest to the coast should be the masters of their own waters. Map the Gaps uses adoption funds to stimulate the Blue Economy in coastal nations through: Workforce Training & Education: Creating specialized vocational programs to train the next generation of hydrographers, oceanographers, and data scientists. Operational Opportunities: Funding local exploration missions, providing coastal nations with the capital to charter vessels and execute high-resolution surveys within their own EEZs. Data Processing & Product Development: Establishing regional hubs for data refinement, allowing nations to turn raw sonar pings into valuable economic products like navigation charts, habitat maps, and resource assessments. 3. Pushing the Technological Envelope Mapping the "Gaps" requires more than just existing tools; it requires a leap in efficiency. A significant portion of our funding is dedicated to R&D and Innovation, specifically: Next-Gen Sonar: Collaborating with engineers to push the boundaries of high-resolution multibeam bathymetric equipment. Large-Scale Mapping Kits: Developing portable, high-efficiency survey "packages" that can be deployed on a variety of vessels, from research ships to "vessels of opportunity" like cruise liners. 4. The Digital Nervous System: Data Infrastructure To ensure that collected data isn't just stored, but used, Map the Gaps invests heavily in the backend architecture of global discovery. This includes the development of: Robust Data Pipelines: Automated workflows that move data from the ship’s hull to the cloud with minimal latency. Global Data Warehouses: Secure, scalable storage solutions that maintain the integrity of the bathymetric record. Metadata Catalogues & Sharing Mechanisms: Building intuitive interfaces that allow scientists, governments, and the public to find and utilize data products, ensuring all contributions adhere to FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable). The Vision of "Wealth in Knowledge" By participating in a hex tile adoption, a donor isn't just buying a piece of a map; they are funding a global infrastructure project. Map the Gaps serves as the bridge between private capital and public good, ensuring that the last great exploration on Earth leaves behind a legacy of technological sovereignty and economic opportunity for every coastal community on the planet.

Coordination mechanisms

The governance and operational framework of Hexplorer and Map the Gaps represents a unique hybrid of traditional oversight, community-driven science, and decentralized digital stewardship. By blending high-level strategic direction with a participatory "Global Registry," the project ensures that the mission to map the world’s oceans is both scientifically rigorous and publicly inclusive. 1. Governance Structure: Strategy Meets Community The initiative operates under a dual-layer governance model designed to balance professional accountability with grassroots engagement. The Board of Directors: Provides executive oversight, fiduciary responsibility, and long-term strategic planning. The Board ensures that all activities align with international maritime laws and the organization’s core mission. The Constituent Community: A global network of ocean advocates, scientists, and donors. This community acts as an advisory body, ensuring that the project remains transparent and responsive to the needs of the people it serves. 2. The Unofficial Global Registry & H3 Infrastructure At the heart of Hexplorer is the Unofficial Global Registry, a digital ledger that manages the "adoption" of the ocean floor. This system utilizes the H3 tessellation—a sophisticated hexagonal hierarchical geospatial indexing system. The Hexagonal Grid Logic The registry utilizes a global mosaic composed of 15 distinct layers of resolution. Primary Index (Level 4): This serves as the fundamental unit for the global index. Each Level 4 hexagon covers approximately 1,700 sq km, with roughly 50,000 tiles available for adoption worldwide. Visual Display (Levels 2–7): For mapping and user interface purposes, Map the Gaps leverages H3 levels 2 through 7 to provide a seamless, multi-scale view of the ocean. Nested Hierarchies: The system honors a "parent-child" relationship; every parent hexagon contains seven sub-hexagons, allowing for granular adoption. Supporters can choose to adopt larger parent tiles or smaller child tiles based on their preferred contribution level. 3. Adoption, Rewards, and Recognition Adoption is a reward-based system where contributions are memorialized through tangible and digital recognition. The Registry: Every adoption is entered into a permanent, searchable record in the Global Registry of Ocean Hex Tiles. Incentives: Depending on the tier of support, adoptees receive exclusive rewards, such as high-quality framed prints of their specific mapped hexagon and prominent recognition across Map the Gaps platforms. 4. Impact: Mapping for a Better Planet The primary goal of the registry is to fund high-resolution multibeam bathymetric surveying. Proceeds from tile adoptions are strategically funneled into surveying high-priority "gaps" in our current ocean knowledge. Strategic Prioritization Priority areas for new data collection are identified through deep collaboration with: Seabed 2030: The global initiative to map the entire ocean floor by 2030. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) & Conservation Groups: Identifying ecologically sensitive zones. UN 30x30: Supporting the United Nations’ goal to protect 30% of the world's oceans by 2030. 5. Data Principles and Sovereignty Map the Gaps is committed to the "democratization of data." We operate under the FAIR Principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable). Open Access Policy: All bathymetric data collected through Hexplorer initiatives is made publicly available to the scientific community and the general public. Exceptions for National Sovereignty: In instances where data collection occurs within a country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Map the Gaps strictly adheres to national regulations. If a government imposes restrictions on data release for security or resource reasons, those restrictions are respected to maintain diplomatic and legal integrity.

Evaluation

Measuring the success of Hexplorer and Map the Gaps requires a "double bottom line" approach: tracking internal operational efficiency alongside external social and scientific impact.By aligning these metrics with international standards like the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Seabed 2030, the initiative can prove its value to both donors an d the global community. 1. Internal Success Metrics (Operational & Financial) These metrics measure how efficiently the organization transforms donations into action and how effectively the app engages users. Financial Efficiency Ratio: Percentage of total hex adoption funds channeled into capacity building and surveying vs. internal operational overhead (aiming for a high "impact-to-admin" ratio). Data Pipeline Velocity: The time elapsed from a raw sonar "ping" on a survey vessel to the data being cleaned, processed, and available in the FAIR-compliant registry. User Conversion & Retention: * Conversion: The percentage of "explorers" (app users) who transition to "adoptees" (donors). Retention: Number of users who return to the app to track their hex tile or engage with neighboring tiles. Technical Benchmarking: Measuring improvements in mapping resolution and the cost-per-square-kilometer achieved through new R&D and high-resolution sonar innovation. Platform Uptime & Scalability: The ability of the H3-tessellated grid to handle millions of simultaneous queries and high-resolution metadata reveals without latency. 2. External Success Metrics (Scientific & Social Impact) These metrics measure the "ripples" the project creates in the real world—scientifically, economically, and culturally. A. Scientific & Environmental Impact Global Coverage Contribution: The total square kilometers of high-resolution data contributed to Seabed 2030 and the GEBCO Grid. Discovery Milestone Count: Number of significant biological (seamounts), historical (shipwrecks), or geological features identified via Hexplorer-funded missions. Conservation Support: Number of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) or 30x30 initiatives that have used Map the Gaps data to justify or manage their conservation boundaries. B. Capacity Building & The Blue Economy Workforce Training Volume: Total number of individuals from coastal nations trained in hydrography, data processing, and maritime leadership. Technological Sovereignty: The number of coastal nations now capable of independently managing their own data pipelines and data warehouses using Hexplorer-provided infrastructure. Blue Economy Job Creation: Tracking new businesses or job roles in partner nations that utilize the bathymetric products (e.g., local eco-tourism, sustainable fisheries, or subsea infrastructure). C. Community & Legacy Registry Growth & Diversity: The total number of active adoptees in the Unofficial Global Registry, categorized by "Ordinary Citizens," "Corporations," and "Groups." Geographic Spread: Measuring the global distribution of adoptees to ensure the "last great exploration" is a truly global movement, not limited to wealthy nations. Educational Reach: The number of students and schools engaged through the Hexplorer education programs and the cruise operator "onboard" experiences. 3. The "Legacy" Metric: Registry Authority Perhaps the ultimate measure of external success is the Social Proof of the Unofficial Global Registry. Success Indicator: Does the registry become the "de facto" standard for naming and recognizing undersea features? External Validation: When third-party organizations (governments, NGOs, or other tech platforms) begin to reference Hexplorer Hex-IDs as a primary geospatial index. Summary View: Internal success is a fast, lean app that scales; external success is a fully mapped ocean managed by skilled local workforces and supported by a proud global citizenry.

Partners

Goal 14

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

Goal 14

14.1

By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

14.1.1

(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density

14.2

By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

14.2.1

Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas

14.3

Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

14.3.1
Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

14.4

By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

14.4.1
Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

14.5

By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

14.5.1
Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

14.6

By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

14.6.1

Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

14.7

By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

14.7.1

Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries

14.a

Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

14.a.1
Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

14.b

Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

14.b.1

Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries

14.c

Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"

14.c.1

Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

Name Description
14.7 By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.a Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

Development and launch of Hexplorer - a digital experience for democratizing discovery of the ocean floor

Adoption of 100 ocean hex tiles around the globe, raising $10,000

Identification of 12 priority areas for high resolution ocean floor surveying

250,000 square kilometres of ocean floor surveyed in high resolution via ship or satellite mapping

Financing (in USD)
1,000,000 (from contributions of adoptees)
Staff / Technical expertise
Map the Gaps staff and contractors for training, mission planning, project management, coordination, data pipeline development, data sharing methodology
In-kind contribution
Support from a wide network of volunteers and advocates for outreach, awareness and advocacy of this inititiatve
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Timeline
01 January 2026 (start date)
31 December 2030 (date of completion)
Entity
Map the Gaps
SDGs
14
Region
  1. Global
Geographical coverage
Global
Other beneficiaries

The Hexplorer and Map the Gaps initiative creates a "ripple effect" of benefits that spans from local coastal villages to global scientific institutions. By turning ocean data into a shared digital asset, the project supports economic, environmental, and social progress. Here is a breakdown of the primary beneficiaries of this initiative: 1. Local & Regional Beneficiaries These groups experience the most direct impact through capacity building and economic stimulation. Coastal Nations & Small Island Developing States (SIDS): Benefit from "Blue Economy" stimulation. Funding supports localized workforce training, allowing these nations to manage their own maritime resources rather than relying on external contractors. Indigenous & Coastal Communities: Gain access to high-resolution data for traditional fishing grounds, community planning, and the identification of undersea hazards to improve marine safety. Local Maritime Workforces: Beneficiaries of vocational training and educational initiatives in hydrography, data processing, and marine technology. National Governments: Receive high-resolution data within their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), aiding in sovereignty, resource management, and disaster mitigation (e.g., tsunami and storm surge modeling). 2. Scientific & Global Conservation Beneficiaries These entities utilize the raw data and funding to meet international sustainability milestones. Seabed 2030: As a primary collaborator, this project receives data that directly fills the "gaps" in the global bathymetric map, accelerating the goal of a 100% mapped ocean. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) & Conservation Groups: Use high-resolution sonar maps to identify critical habitats (like coral reefs or seagrass beds) that require legal protection. The UN 30x30 Program: Data provided by Hexplorer helps identify and prioritize the 30% of the ocean most in need of conservation by 2030. Climate Researchers: Benefit from FAIR-compliant data used to improve ocean circulation models and understand how the seafloor influences climate change. 3. Community & Commercial Beneficiaries These groups benefit from the engagement, tools, and discovery opportunities provided by the app. Hexplorer Adoptees (Citizens & Corporations): Gain a permanent place in the Global Registry, along with physical and digital rewards (e.g., framed hex prints). They become part of an elite community of "modern-day pioneers." Ocean Cruise Operators: Enhance their passenger experience by offering "live exploration" insights. Passengers become more engaged with the environment they are traveling through, adding value to the cruise itinerary. Educational Institutions & Students: Benefit from specialized programs and open-access data catalogues, providing real-world datasets for STEM learning and hydrographic research. Archaeologists & Historians: Benefit from the discovery of undiscovered shipwrecks and submerged historical sites revealed through high-resolution mapping. 4. Technical & Innovation Beneficiaries The initiative acts as a catalyst for the maritime technology sector. Technology Developers: The push for high-resolution, large-scale mapping drives innovation in sonar equipment, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and AI-driven data processing. Data Architects: The development of data pipelines and metadata catalogues creates a blueprint for how massive geospatial datasets can be shared and discovered globally.

More information
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Contact Information

TIM KEARNS, Executive Director

TIM@MAPTHEGAPS.ORG