At the end of 2022, the Nekton mission headed to the Maldives. Its objective: to inventory the deep waters to better protect the marine ecosystem of a country among the most threatened by rising sea levels and climate change. Thanks to technologies such as ROVs and submarines, this initiative aims to preserve biodiversity.
Why explore the ocean depths?
In a restaurant in Male, I talk with Paris Stefanoudis, a scientist participating in the mission. » Imagine, he tells me, if at home you only had light on the first step of the stairs… »
Oceans represent 71% of the Earth’s surface, but this statistic only gives a two-dimensional view. With an average depth of 3.7 km, they actually account for 99% of our planet’s biosphere. Yet, we have only explored a tiny part of this vast underwater space.
Aboard the RV Odyssey
Aboard the RV Odyssey, the Nekton team, invited by the Maldivian government, dives into these unknown depths. It is the first systematic study of the waters of this uniquely oceanic nation. « Nekton » means aquatic life swimming against the current. The association founded by Oliver Steeds, who leads our mission, is dedicated to preserving the oceans. On board this vessel, used for the Blue Planet II documentary series, 25 scientists spent 34 days exploring the atolls up to 1000 meters deep.
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