Friday 19th April 2024
Another global mission has begun! This time the mighty Indian Ocean.
Under the British-led Nekton Mission, a group of scientists have begun their journey to explore the Indian Ocean on March 07, 2019.
The mission formally began at Alphonse Atoll, 232 miles in the southwest of Seychelles’ capital Victoria.
The expedition will do a deep research on the unexplored part of the planet i.e. the Indian Ocean, which has begun seeing the effects of global warming.
The research involves modest high-technology equipment, which includes a device that will study water’s chemistry and also Neuston net to retrieve zooplankton.
“It’s really important. Fish feed on zooplankton, so we need to see its quality, because if the ecosystems changes it may have an impact on the fish we feed on,” says Mission member and Seychelles-based marine researcher Stephanie Marie.
The mission intends to study unexplored areas of Indian Ocean waters, discover new species, make document evidence of climate change and human-driven pollution.
The mission is part of Seychelles ‘blue economy’ and attempts to balance development with safety of oceanic environment.
The deep-sea mission of up to 1000 feet covers underwater mountain ranges and undiscovered marine life.
The seven-week Seychelles expedition is expected to run until April 19, 2019 to trace the secrets of the Indian Ocean.
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