Photo: Research Vessel Falkor (too). Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute.
For the first time, local scientists will lead a scientific expedition to explore the deep waters of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T).
Let’s take a look at some of the numbers associated with this.
0.001% – less than this percentage of T&T’s deep waters have been explored due to limited financial and technological capacity.
28th June to 29th July, this changes: ‘Deep Wonders of T&T’ a deep-sea scientific expedition led by local NGO SpeSeas will take place.
1st ever exploration of the deep waters of T&T led by local scientists. Marine biologist Dr. Diva Amon of SpeSeas is the Chief Scientist of this expedition.
2000 metres – below these depths have never been explored by scientists.
451 marine species have already been observed in T&T’s deep seas.
1600 – it is estimated more than this number of species exist, waiting to be discovered.
93% of T&T’s waters consists of the mesophotic zone (30–199 m) and the deep ocean (200-4000 m).
This project will create a lasting scientific foundation for the stewardship of T&T’s mesophotic and deep-sea ecosystems.
The Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs & Development endorses this expedition because it aligns with our key mandate for Environment and Climate Change.
Check out @speseas_tt on Instagram for more details and visit https://www.planning.gov.tt/newsite/trinidad-tobago-embarks-on-deep-sea-scientific-expedition/
