Crucial marine research tools lost to sea

An important tool of the ongoing scientific research to study the country's coastal areas has been lost to sea.

The study was launched on Sunday in collaboration with the government-led Nooraajje programme and National Geographic's 'Pristine Seas' to protect the country's oceans.

As part of the month-long expedition, it is scheduled to travel to Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Fuvahmulah and Addu.

Important research equipment went missing from the south seaside of G.Dh. Kaadedhoo, where it was floated, on Thursday.

Moosa Zameer Hassan, coordinator of the Nooraajje programme, said that what they had lost was a Baited remote underwater video (BRUV) system that is released to monitor fish in the surface of the ocean and collect information.

"But we couldn't track it. So, we don't know where the system is now," Moosa said.

According to him, the system has a lot of expensive equipment. These include:

"It's expensive. But more than the price, we are more concerned about missing information that is important to the study," Moosa said.

He added that various islands have been informed about the loss of the equipment. The system has 10 yellow buoys attached to it and a flag will be installed on it, he said. Moosa also said that the system is now likely to have travelled far.

The numbers to be contacted in case of discovery of these objects at sea are as follows:

Nooraajje had earlier said that the scientists participating in the research journey will be able to understand the conditions in the southern oceans of the country through cameras. The information gathered from the expeditions conducted by the Nooraajje programme in the past will be enriched by the scientific research carried out during the trip.

"This information will help in protecting the country's marine life and promoting sustainable development," the programme said.