Klein Curacao.
News

New Project to Explore the Dutch Caribbean Deep

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - August 24, 2018

By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

Next week, a team of scientists and explorers will board the R/V Chapman and travel to the uninhabited island of Klein Curaçao as part of a series of oceanographic expeditions designed to document the health and biodiversity of shallow and deep-reef ecosystems.

This venture will serve as the inaugural expedition in Deep Dutch Caribbean, a series led by Uncharted Blue, a new organization that connects adventure seekers with scientists and marine technology to fuel exploration of uncharted ocean destinations.

“Deep mesophotic coral reefs are at the cutting edge of coral reef science as they are very poorly studied and are often made up of species of corals, fish and invertebrates that are totally new to science,” said Dr. David Kline, a lead scientist on the expedition and Research Biologist at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. “It is becoming increasingly clear that mesophotic reefs are diverse and serve many critical ecosystem functions yet they are threatened by many of the same stressors as shallow coral reefs including coral bleaching, ocean acidification and sedimentation.”

“It is essential that we better understand how deep mesophotic reefs function so that we can develop strategies to protect them before it is too late,” Kline said.

The Deep Dutch Caribbean expedition series is launched in partnership with the Curaçao Marine Research Center, Chapman Expeditions and Naturalis Biodiversity Center.

The organizations have teamed up in response to the decline of reef ecosystems around the world.

Reefs are experiencing heightened threats from mass coral bleaching triggered by global warming, ocean acidification from increasing carbon dioxide in the ocean, overfishing and other local impacts.

The unexplored, 100-plus-foot deep reefs surrounding Klein Curaçao serve as biodiversity hotbeds and contain new species of corals, invertebrates and fish. 

Marine scientists from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Smithsonian’s National Museum for Natural History, and Naturalis Biodiversity Center will lead scientific missions using a state-of-the art manned submersible, the Curasub, to explore the islands’ uncharted depths down to 1,000ft. 

Scientists will make comparative observations of shallow and deep reefs.

Kline is especially interested in the mesophotic zone– the “middle light” zone and the furthest the sun can penetrate the ocean.

The expedition will be documented above and below sea level to support promotion of increased public participation in future planned expeditions. 

Popular Posts

A.R. Carnegie, 74, Caribbean Legal Legend

A Caribbean Journal Editorial He was never a judge, never a Queen’s Counsel. His robes were never silk. But A. Ralph Carnegie was a Caribbean John Marshall if there ever was one. Ralph Carnegie, A.R. in scholarly texts, passed away […]


Robinson: Manatt Approached Government

Lackston Robinson, Jamaica’s Deputy Solicitor General, testified that it was the law firm Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, and not the Jamaican Government/Jamaica Labour Party, that made the first move to solicit a contract to lobby the White House, he told […]


IMF Back in Antigua on Performance Review

The International Monetary Fund has sent a team to Antigua for a third review of the nation’s performance on a stand-by arrangement with the IMF. According to the Ministry of Finance, the IMF team began the review Monday and will […]


Related Posts sangster bob marley restaurant

Montego's Bay Airport Has a New Look

Jamaica’s biggest air hub has unveiled a major new look, following a large-scale expansion and upgrade project at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.  The airport has revealed an expanded immigration hall and departure lounge, upgraded retail space and, […]


This Jamaica Luxury All-Inclusive Just Added New Suites  

jamaica all-inclusive new rooms

Just in time for peak season on the island, Jamaica’s Bluefields Bay Villas has announced the debut of its newest rooms: The Suites. The luxury all-inclusive resort has added four curated suites to the six private villas already on site. Perched above […]


How to Visit the Island of Grenada This Fall

spice

It’s easier than ever to visit the island of Grenada right now, and the island is only making things easier for travelers looking for a fall getaway.  JetBlue is set to launch new nonstop service to the island in November, […]


SUBSCRIBE!

Sign up for Caribbean Journal's free newsletter for a daily dose of beaches, hotels, rum and the best Caribbean travel information on the net.


No. Thank You