Photo: Possibly a new species of octopus recorded by ROV SuBastian/Schmidt Ocean Institute in the deep waters of Trinidad and Tobago on July 7, 2026.
Ninety-three percent of Trinidad and Tobago’s marine jurisdiction is below recreational scuba depths, making the mesophotic and deep ocean the nation’s largest ecosystems.
The geological setting of the two islands is an ideal environment for discovering chemosynthetic habitats, such as methane seeps and mud volcanoes, as well as mesophotic coral reefs. However, very little of Trinidad and Tobago’s deep waters has been explored, and many of these ecosystems remain undiscovered.
From 29 June – 28 July 2026, Dr. Diva Amon and a primarily Trinbagonian team of scientists will explore the waters surrounding Trinidad and Tobago and the adjacent high seas to fill this research gap.
Tune in and subscribe to the live stream via: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvQxr__kHv8
The team will use a variety of tools to conduct a baseline study of Trinidad and Tobago’s mesophotic and deep-sea ecosystems, including the Deep Ocean Research and Imaging System (DORIS), an underwater camera and sensor system designed to expand access to deep-sea research through cost-effectiveness and ease of use.
Scientists will also test a novel cryopreservation technique using a -20°C cryoprotectant to validate it as a standard method for cryobanking marine invertebrates, advancing biodiversity conservation while conducting at-sea research. By exploring and collecting a comprehensive dataset, the expedition will inform future ocean stewardship in Trinidad and Tobago and beyond.
MORE ABOUT THE EXPEDITION
- SpeSeas will lead the deep-sea scientific expedition “Deep Wonders of Trinidad and Tobago and the High Seas” from 29th June to 28th July 2026. SpeSeas is a non-profit NGO in T&T that undertakes scientific research, education and advocacy.
- This will take place on Schmidt Ocean Institute’s (SOI) Research Vessel Falkor (too) (https://schmidtocean.org/cruises/schmidt-ocean-institute-2026-expeditions/). SOI is a 501(c)(3) private non-profit foundation dedicated to advancing oceanographic research and the sharing of ocean knowledge.
- This expedition is also supported by:
- The University of the West Indies St. Augustine
- Institute of Marine Affairs
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, USA
- University of Calgary, Canada
- Dalhousie University, Canada
- Ocean Discovery League, USA
- Pure Ocean, France
- The Explorers Club, USA
- The Pew Charitable Trusts, USA
