Le Maldive e la Missione Nekton

Un gruppo internazionale di esploratori marini e scientifici dell’arcipelago maldivo mappano le acque inesplorate dell’oceano indiano

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR NEKTON - In this image released on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, A Blackfoot Anemonefish nestles on a coral reef off the coast of Fuvahmulah Island, Maldives, where the international UK-based Nekton science mission is on a five-week joint expedition with the Maldives Marine Research Institute to determine the health and resilience of coral reefs, leading to their protection. These reefs are vital to provide protection for the Maldives coastline and population from the increased frequency and intensity of storms caused by climate destablisation. The mission ends October 7. HANDOUT IMAGE - Please see special instructions. MANDATORY CREDIT -

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR NEKTON - In this image released on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, a six-gill shark surrounded by eels is attracted to bait in a deep-sea camera system, deployed by scientists, 600 metres down in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of the Maldives. The research expedition is a five-week joint mission by the UK-based Nekton institute and the Maldives Government. The scientists will remain at sea until October 7 to establish a vital biodiversity baseline amidst the backdrop of the climate crisis. The team are undertaking the first systematic survey of ocean life from the surface down to 1000 metres. HANDOUT IMAGE - Please see special instructions. MANDATORY CREDIT -

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR NEKTON - In this image released on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, two Blackfoot Anemonefish on a coral reef off the coast of Fuvahmulah Island, Maldives, where the UK-based Nekton science mission is on a five-week joint expedition with the Maldives Marine Research Institute to establish the first systematic biodiversity baseline from the surface to depth. The data is critical to help establish vast new marine protected areas. In the background is the three-person Omega Seamaster II submersible, which has spent the past month carrying scientists from the UK, Maldives, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Seychelles from the surface down to 500 metres below. The expedition will be at sea until October 7. HANDOUT IMAGE - Please see special instructions. MANDATORY CREDIT -

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR NEKTON - In this image released on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, scientists launch deep sea camera systems, primed with bait, to attract and record marine life up to 1000 metres down in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of the Maldives as part of a five-week joint mission by the UK-based Nekton institute and the Maldives Government. The expedition remains at sea until October 7 to establish a vital new biodiversity baseline amidst the backdrop of the climate crisis. Storm surges and rising ocean temperatures have already taken their toll on the marine environment of the Maldives - the lowest-lying nation on earth which comprises 99% sea and 1% land. HANDOUT IMAGE - Please see special instructions. MANDATORY CREDIT -

Un banco di pesci fucilieri dal dorso giallo scivola oltre una sana barriera corallina vicino all'isola di Fuvahmulah, Maldive, 28 settembre 2022. Foto: per gentile concessione di Nekton tramite AP/Henley Spiers

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR NEKTON - Maldives Environment Minister Shauna Aminath discusses the questions the Government of Maldives wants answered by the Nekton Maldives Mission during a surprise visit on Monday Sept. 12, 2022, in Laamu, Maldives, The country's President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih led the discussion on the bridge of the Nekton mothership RV Odyssey to offer support to ocean scientists in their quest to find answers that can help unlock the secrets of the deep.
HANDOUT IMAGE - Please see special instructions. MANDATORY CREDIT -

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR NEKTON - From left, Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Environment Minister Shauna Aminath are shown videos of Aquanaut Shaha Hashim's submersible dive during a surprise visit to the Nekton Maldives Mission on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, in Laamu, Maldives. The President offered support to Nekton scientists in their quest to find answers that can help unlock the secrets of the deep. HANDOUT IMAGE - Please see special instructions. MANDATORY CREDIT -

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR NEKTON - From left, Farah Amjad, Mohamed Ahusan, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Shafiya Naeem, and Shaha Hashim pose for a photograph during a surprise visit to the Nekton Maldives Mission by Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, in Laamu, Maldives. The quartet heard the President offer his support to all the Nekton scientists aboard in their quest to find answers that can help unlock the secrets of the deep. HANDOUT IMAGE - Please see special instructions. MANDATORY CREDIT -

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR NEKTON - Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (right) meets Shafiya Naeem (second left), the Maldives Aquanaut who has made history by being the first from her nation to journey to the deep ocean, during a surprise visit to the Nekton Maldives Mission in Laamu Atoll on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. The President offered support to Nekton scientists in their quest to find answers that can help unlock the secrets of the deep. HANDOUT IMAGE - Please see special instructions. MANDATORY CREDIT -

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR NEKTON - Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih makes a surprise visit to the Nekton Maldives Mission mothership and meets Shaha Hashim, Maldives Project Manager for Blue Marine Foundation and Maldives Resilient Reefs on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022 in Laamu, Maldives. The President offered support to Nekton scientists in their quest to find answers that can help unlock the secrets of the deep. HANDOUT IMAGE - Please see special instructions. MANDATORY CREDIT -

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR NEKTON - Farah Amjad leans forward towards deep seabed with Kimly Do right. They are accompanied by Shafiya Naeem, and make history by being the first people from the Indian Ocean nation to dive into the twilight zone on 11th September 2022 at Laamu Atoll, Maldives. The scientists are part of the Nekton Maldives Mission, a joint initiative by UK-based Nekton and the Maldives government to map, sample and gather data on ocean health which can inform policy makers both in the Maldives and beyond, as the climate crisis deepens. HANDOUT IMAGE - Please see special instructions. MANDATORY CREDIT -

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR NEKTON - Two scientists from the Maldives and their American submersible pilot make history by being the first people from the Indian Ocean nation to dive into the twilight zone. Shafiya Naeem right and Farah Amjad left, were piloted to 250m by Kimly Do centre aboard the three person Omega Seamaster II submersible on Sunday 11th September 2022 at Laamu Atoll, Maldives. The trio are part of the Nekton Maldives Mission, a joint initiative by UK-based Nekton and the Maldives government to map, sample and gather data on ocean health which can inform policy makers both in the Maldives and beyond, as the climate crisis deepens. HANDOUT IMAGE - Please see special instructions. MANDATORY CREDIT -

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR NEKTON - Maldivian Scientist Shafiya Naeem Director General of the Maldives Marine Research Institute makes history by being the first person from the Indian Ocean nation to dive into the twilight zone aboard the three person Omega Seamaster II submersible on Sunday 11th September 2022 at Laamu Atoll, Maldives. Shafiya is part of the Nekton Maldives Mission and was joined on the dive by a fellow Maldivian Scientist Farah Amjad. HANDOUT IMAGE - Please see special instructions. MANDATORY CREDIT -

La missione scientifica Nekton e l’Istituto di ricerca marina, con sede nel Regno Unito, stanno sviluppando nelle Maldive una spedizione congiunta della durata di cinque settimane che arriverà a termine venerdì 7 ottobre. L’obiettivo è quello di esplorare le acque dell’arcipelago sotto i 1.000 metri di profondità per mappare e campionare gli oceani e così proteggere la biodiversità dalla crisi climatica prima che sia troppo tardi.

In effetti, i coralli dell’arcipelago delle Maldive, una delle parti dell’Oceano Indiano più minacciate dal cambiamento climatico, sono stati sottoposti a forti pressioni dovuto all’aumento delle temperature del mare come conseguenza del riscaldamento globale, la qual cosa ha provocato la morte della colonia corale.

La collaborazione scientifica tra l’Istituto di ricerca marina Nekton e il governo delle Maldive si serve dalla tecnologia all’avanguardia per raccogliere i dati e le prove che si spera possano aiutare il mondo a comprendere meglio il cambiamento climatico, le sue conseguenze e il modo di farne fronte.

Foto: per gentile concessione di Nekton via AP/Henley Spiers, Sarah Hammond