Cook Islands led Deep Sea Research Expedition gets underway

The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) is pleased to announce a short deep sea research expedition between Rarotonga and Aitutaki. 

ARTEX 2023 (Aitutaki Rarotonga Transect Expedition) is a 2 day expedition run by SBMA. It is a pilot for locally led and managed marine science research, setting new ground in terms of low-cost collaborative and independent research.

L-R: Tanga Morris Jnr SBMA Knowledge Management Officer, Dr John Parianos SBMA Knowledge Management Director, Dr Adrian Glover, Dr Gerald McCormack , Laiana Parker, Dr Dan Jones

It is also the first known expedition to the deep sea between Aitutaki and Rarotonga, an area that has been flown and sailed over thousands of times, but never actually visited by deep sea scientists. Funding for the expedition is from the DEEPEND programme, a United Kingdom-Pacific collaboration looking at marine biodiversity and potential for marine genetic resources in the deep sea.

Kiva Marine's Anuanua Moana research vessel will be used, including the use of an remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and biological-box core sampling as well as acoustic survey.

SBMA’s Dr John Parianos and Tanga Morris Jnr will lead the expedition. They are joined by a group of highly skilled scientists and representatives including Dr Adrian Glover from the Natural History Museum in London, Dr Daniel Jones from the National Oceanographic Centre in Southampton and Dr Gerald McCormack from the Natural Heritage Trust, Ariki Philip Vakatini and Fisheries Officer Laiana Parker will also be able to part of this historic expedition.

“The team are all really excited about this expedition due to the expectations for scientific discovery" said Knowledge Management Officer Tanga Morris Jr, "Leading a team with such expertise, using this locally based high quality research platform – it's a big step for us and a real privilege". 

Prime Minister Brown spoke earlier this year about the ongoing scientific advancements on the Cook Islands deep sea, stating: “It is like turning on a light in a dark room, building our collective knowledge and understanding. This is why science and research is critical. It sets the foundation for the future work that we need to manage our Marae Moana well”

Data collected from the ARTEX 2023 expedition will be released publicly. 

Queries may be directed to Dede Mingi: [email protected]

Source by: Seabed Minerals Authority