PHILIPPINE SEA
27 APRIL – 19 MAY 2024
Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), the Ocean Shot Research Grant, and NHK TV, two Ocean Census participant scientists joined JAMSTEC Principle Investigator Yoshihiro Fujiwara, and other researchers and crew onboard the JAMSTEC research vessel KAIMEI.
Mission brief
Minami-Daito Jima Island is the largest island in the Daitō Island group southeast of Okinawa, and saw the majority of the research focus. The Kyushu-Palau Ridge is a 2,600-km-long area extending north–south at the center of the Philippine Sea south of Japan. Home to a chain of extinct volcanoes, this diverse area has long fascinated geological oceanographers. Now, it is the potential for new species discovery amongst these intricate habitats that is equally compelling.
Ocean Census participant scientists Jann Vendetti and Kurt Bryant Bacharo joined the expedition. Jann Vendetti is the Malacology (Mollusks) Curator at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, and specialises in Gastropods (snails). Kurt Bryant Bacharo is a Masters Student at the University of the Ryukyus in Japan. Originally from the Philippines, Kurt specialises in Cnidaria, especially black corals.
The 100.5m R/V KAIMEI is one of the world’s most advanced research vessels, equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories and submersibles. One of the most innovative aspects of the expedition was the use of two ROVs operating in tandem that explored and catalogued the deep-sea limestone cave systems and their unique biodiversity.
With a focus on new species discovery, the Ocean Census participant scientists Jann and Kurt brought a diverse skill set aboard, complementing the extensive list of world-leading experts from Japan and abroad. The voyage also provided an opportunity for knowledge exchange and training in at-sea field skills and taxonomic techniques.
Be sure to follow @OceanCensus on social media to keep up to date with the findings from this expedition.
Mission Partners
Mission facts
Dates
27 April to 19 May 2024
Duration
22 days
Location
Philippine Sea
Type
Partner
Image credits
JAMSTEC
Latest Updates
With a few days left of the expedition, Jann Vendetti fills us in on the marine wonders of the Philippine Sea.
The team said goodbye to Minami-Daito without ever stepping foot on the island, but having explored some of the biodiversity living in and around its undersea limestone caves. Their ship, Kaimei, headed east toward a series of seamounts along the Kyushu/Palau ridge.
On the flat top of the seamount they’ve explored are expanses of sand and rock void of visible life, interrupted by oases of animals.
“Yesterday, we managed to collect one whip black coral sample from a 300m depth. We also spotted a few colonies on our dive here. When we first located the colony, almost everyone in the room shouted ‘Tsuno sango’, which is the Japanese name for black corals.”
News
Participant Expeditions
Ocean Census supports a range of expeditions and opportunities for scientists to get onboard, helping to add capacity to species discovery worldwide.
Participant Expeditions give specialists from our Science Network and media experts the opportunity to join expeditions led by our Partners, gain at-sea skills, and exchange knowledge with other professionals.
Find out more and get involved by joining our Science Network today.
Join the census
An Alliance of scientists, governments, marine research institutes, museums, philanthropy, technology, media and civil society partners.
