(CNN) — When most people think of ‘Maldives’, the first images that come to mind for many are rows of luxury overwater villas jutting out from long wooden docks, or gorgeous beaches fringed with stunning white sands.
But even though the Maldives is one of the world’s most coveted vacation destinations, not to mention a scuba diver’s dream destination, scientists still know a lot about its underwater ecosystem. said they have not learned
Now, the Maldivian government and the British marine research institute Nekton are working together to unravel some of these mysteries by launching an ambitious expedition into the country’s unexplored waters.
Commencing on September 4 and involving a team of scientists from both Maldives and abroad, the Nekthong Maldives mission will use two high-tech submersibles to conduct extensive research at 30 meters or less. One ship she can dive up to 1,000 meters.
Its aim is to help the Maldives manage the impact of the global climate crisis.
“The Maldives is 99% sea and only 1% land, averaging 1.5 meters above sea level. As a result, the country faces an increasing threat from rising sea levels,” said Nekton’s statement.
“But armed with more knowledge about what their waters contain, we can begin to take steps to protect those who live there and protect the environments in which these species live. It is, in turn, making the country resilient to climate change.”
According to the Institute, 10 Maldivian marine scientists have been selected as the first “Maldives’ Aquanauts” to lead more than 30 first descents in submersibles to explore the country’s deep waters. The first descent is led by an all-female Aquanaut team.
Omega Seamaster 2 Submersible. Taken while exploring the waters of the Seychelles in 2019.
Nekton/AP
“We determine the location, health and resilience of coral reefs, especially deeper ecosystems that we know very little about, so we can identify critical habitats for protection and management.” Statement by the Maldives Institute of Oceanography.
“The coral reefs that surround our atolls help mitigate the effects of rising sea levels and increased storm frequency and intensity, and form the basis of our economy, livelihoods and survival.”
35 days mission
An expedition vessel, the RV Odyssey, will carry scientists from the Maldives, the UK, India and South Africa on a 35-day mission to the country’s vast waters.
The ship has two submarines, each capable of carrying a pilot and two scientists. These are used in conjunction with robotic and autonomous systems and over a dozen research techniques to collect data.
The newest of the two submersibles is Aurelia, owned by REV Ocean, which underwent extensive sea trials off Barcelona this summer and is now certified as the world’s most advanced craft of its kind. Yes, Nekton said in a statement.
The Omega Seamaster 2 is used for exploration to depths of 500 meters.
Nekton/AP
A second submersible, the Omega Seamaster 2, is the same brand used on the 2019 Nekton mission to the Seychelles, where marine explorers have discovered “dozens of new species, previously seen at less than 30 meters. We mapped an area off the coast that was previously unknown.”
The Aurelia operates at depths of up to 1,000 meters, while the Omega Seamaster 2 is used for exploration to depths of 500 meters.
The 35-day mission will involve marine biologists, data scientists and film producers collecting species samples, conducting large-scale mapping operations, and videotaping coral conditions around the Maldives. increase.
The University of Oxford, which is participating in the mission, said scientists will investigate how marine life adapted to the historic sea-level rise caused by the melting of ice from the last ice age, revealing the “little known of the Rariphotic Zone.” It says it will survey “unprotected, unprotected deep corals and reefs.” Acts as a shelter for animals from shallow water. ”
They also “surveyed the relative abundance of 40 shark and 18 ray species at the top of the food chain in the Maldivian Sea, serving as important indicators of ocean health,” the statement said. .
Among the planned mapping operations is the survey of submarine mountains in the North Indian Ocean.
All samples and data collected will remain the property of the Maldives, Nekton said.
Supporting sustainable tourism development
So what does all of this have to do with tourism in the Maldives?
Documenting the state of the country’s waters can support sustainable tourism development, said a Nekton briefing on the mission. Coral reefs provide a first line of defense against waves and storms, which are becoming more frequent and violent. ”
Protecting the animal species that live there is also important, which “results in healthier oceans and supports the growth of sustainable fishing and tourism,” the mission briefing said. Earnings.
