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Seychelles researchers dive 4,600 metres deep, make historic ocean discovery
A team of nineteen Seychellois researchers who embarked on an exploration of the country's oceanic environment on January 14 concluded their expedition with historic breakthroughs on their return on February 11.
For the first time in Seychelles' history, the researchers successfully explored the deepest recorded depth of 1,500 meters in the Indian Ocean. TRT Africa reports that this feat was complemented by the execution of a dedicated megafauna survey of the region from a helicopter, providing unprecedented insights into the large animals inhabiting the ocean.
The Science Programme Director for OceanX, Mattie Rodrigue, said, “The mission aimed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the Seychelles ocean ecosystem, assess ocean conditions, and build knowledge among local scientists to promote marine conservation and future climate decisions.”
Additionally, the team accomplished a dive, using a remotely operated vehicle to reach depths of 4,600 meters. This marked the deepest dive ever conducted in the history of the Seychelles.
"We are recording the different habitats at different levels: 500 metres, 750 metres, 1,000 metres, and 1,500 metres. We were getting a full picture of how the ocean is and establishing the biodiversity,” Rodrigue added.
He said, “I was stunned by the diversity of deep-sea healthy corals. Now we are in the process of finalising the data and will share them with the government for their plans to manage the areas.
The third major accomplishment of the mission involved 3D mapping and deep-sea exploration of approximately 12,000 square kilometres within the Seychelles’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This comprehensive mapping offers valuable insights into the underwater topography and ecosystems, contributing significantly to our understanding of the country's marine environment.
In a related development, the Seychelles News Agency reported that scientists from the University of Autonoma in Barcelona, Spain, are embarking on a comparative research project in Seychelles focused on fossils and sediments. The study aims to unravel the geological and environmental changes that have occurred over time on the island.
