Deep Ocean Exploration Team

The Nexton group of scientist involved in Deep Ocean Exploration are interested in exploring the vast Ocean Environment in the Seychelles. Two of the Scientists involved in this exploration were in Seychelles and invited the media for a press conference last Friday to provide the public on the main objectives of their exploration.

Mr. Alain Decomarmond P.S of Environment stated the benefit that this exploration would bring to our country, given that Nexton Science team would provide training to our local scientist and partners during the deep ocean study.

“This will help both the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Education by broadening their knowledge about the Seychelles marine life, help us to identify what the ocean consists of in different parameters as Nexton will have the right equipment, which will provide us with data collection so to identify ways we can further protect our ocean”.

Along in this Press Conference was Dr. Lucy Woodall who is the Principal scientist involved in this expedition. Ms. Woodall explained the process of this expedition. She informed the media that this exploration would start from 0-500 meters below sea level. She further explained the benefit that this survey would provide them with, such as information given the effect of climate change and coral bleaching. All the data collected are to be compared with studies done in the past and the ones that would be done in the near future. Dr. Woodall added that Nexton would also share information with the communities and the locals providing they understand the value of the ocean, as most of the research work has been done before are in shallow waters and not deeper in the ocean. Nexton would then further present the data in Academic Papers and International Conferences and International Journals, as well as the different partners and stakeholders in Seychelles would be given access. Dr. Woodall and her team has not specifically found an area to start this expedition, as it is still on discussion. The selection of the sites were one of the main topics of discussion in a two-day scientific stakeholder workshop that was held on the 16^th and 17^th October at the Seypec Training room with local partners.

Dr. Paris Stefanoudis one of the scientists who previously worked during his PhD with the Nexton group in Bermuda, would be assisting in this exploration. Dr. Stefanoudis reassured the media that Nexton team would be taking all the precaution with the help of the Seychelles science team. He stated the variety of equipment they would be using for this research project such as cameras, submersible, robotic operating vehicles and nets to explore the different species that are in the Seychelles Oceans.

This exploration is being planned for the first quarter of 2019, the fundraising for it is still ongoing. If all goes well this journey will be groundbreaking and will allow us to venture into unknown depths of our Marine environment.