Maldives aquanauts make historic maiden dive
This is the first ocean study led by an all-women team.
By
Najaah Masood
A team of marine researchers dived outside Laamu atoll on Sunday as they begin an ocean study to assess the impact of climate change on the Maldives' oceans and marine life. This is the first ocean study led by an all-women team.
In a three-person special submersible named ‘Omega Seamaster II’, the three female aquanauts will dive to the depths of the ocean to map, sample and gather data on ocean health. The work is carried out in collaboration with UK-based Nekton marine research foundation and the Maldivian government.
The participants of the trip flew a Maldivian flag near Laamu atoll this afternoon as the 'Omega Seamaster II' went under.
During this maiden trip:
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Lead aquanauts are Marine biologist Shafiya Naeem, the Director General at the Maldives Marine Research Institute, and her Research Assistant Farah Amjad
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The dive is piloted by the third member of the crew, Kimly Do from the U.S.
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On this first trip they will observe the corals and marine creatures in the waters off the east side of Laamu Atoll
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They will also conduct an underwater survey at depths of 250 metres.
Nekton Mission's objectives include:
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Determine the location, health and resilience of the coral reefs that are essential to life in the Maldives
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Investigate how ocean life adapted to historic rising sea levels caused by ice melt from the last Ice Age
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Explore the largely unknown and unprotected deep corals and reefs of the Rariphotic Zone, which act as a refuge to animals from shallower waters,
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Investigate the relative abundance of the 40 shark and 18 ray species at the apex of the food chain in the Maldives ocean, which act as a critical indicator of ocean health
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Conduct the first mapping survey of a subsea mountain in the Northern Indian Ocean.
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Use the latest submersible models and robotic systems that can carry humans to the depths of the ocean
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Along with a 'health check' on marine life, the survey will also provide important information to facilitate achieving the government's goal of protecting 20% of the Maldivian waters, which is about half of Germany
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The expedition involves a global alliance of 40 organisations with a scientific team drawn from the Maldives, UK, Seychelles, India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Spain, Greece, Netherlands, and Ireland.
Nekton claims that this is the most technologically advanced and most daring in-depth study to ever be conducted on marine life in this region. With the mission's launch Sunday, the Maldivian aquanauts participating in the historic journey will become the first people from the nation to descend deep into the twilight zone.
