clever people to use that information to conduct all sorts of science, all sorts of modelling. >> reporter: this mission is underway in various parts of the world, but so far, just 20% of the world's ocean floor has been mapped. that's the equivalent of the continent of asia and africa, but what still needs to be mapped is almost double the land mass of all the earth's continents. it's estimated it will cost 3 to $5 billion to complete the mission. the technology exists, but the financial appetite to do it is not robust. countries, militaries and private entities like oil and gas companies map areas central to their work at sea but not always willing to share the data. the leaders of the sea bed 2030 mission are now calling on everyday citizens. >> whether you're a master of a bulk carrier, whether you're a yacht skipper, a ferryboat captain, then you're in a