The RV Pelagia Cruise No. 64PE487 / Eurofleets+ iMAR aimed to evaluate the role of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in shaping the latitudinal and trans-Atlantic patterns in deep-sea biogeography, connectivity and spatial distribution patterns of deep-sea megafauna. Additionally, the cruise aimed to (i) map and characterize deep-sea coral and sponge communities inhabiting unexplored seamounts and ridges in the MAR, around the Azores Region; (ii) identify new areas that fit the FAO’s VME definition; (iii) add to the existing knowledge on the environmental drivers that determine the spatial distribution of deep-sea benthic biodiversity in the MAR and finally (iv) determine the condition of benthic communities by looking at evidence of fishing damage to fauna, presence of lost fishing gear and marine litter.