Comprehensive seabed mapping is fundamental to understanding ocean processes, ensuring maritime safety, conserving marine ecosystems, and supporting the sustainable ocean economy. Despite technological advancements and international efforts, nearly 74% of the global seabed remains unmapped by modern standards. Initiatives like the GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project have increased mapped areas to approximately 26.1%, yet vast regions remain unexplored. Addressing technical, financial, and policy challenges is essential to enhance data access, promote technology transfer, diversify funding, and invest in education and training. Public policy plays a pivotal role in accelerating efforts to close seafloor data gaps, enabling science and society to reap the benefits of a well-understood ocean floor.
