On one hand, discovery is the human way. On the other hand just like the USGS before, this is the first step to mining and other exploitation. Don't get me wrong, I went to the Colorado School of Mines so I know intimately how critical mining is to our modern civilization.
I guess what I'm hoping to highlight is the various world views. Some folks when they see this headline will say "great, now we can further explore, understand, and protect it" and some folks will say "great, now how do we mine or otherwise extract thr value just sitting on the sea floor for my and my friends profit".
I'm not trying to pass judgement on either, just highlight the duality of our modern life. We seek to protect and preserve on one hand and on the other hand we don't. Somehow we need to get our hands both working on the same thing.