HMAP is a global research initiative to study the past ocean life and human interaction with the sea. We are a group of about 100 researchers who have joined forces to develop an interdisciplinary research program using historical and environmental archives. HMAP analyzes marine population data before and after human impacts on the ocean became significant. HMAP aims to enhance knowledge and understanding of how the diversity, distribution and abundance of marine life in the worlds oceans changes over the long term.