UN-flagged research vessel Dr. Fridtjof Nansen departs for South Indian Ocean cruise
A deep-sea ecosystem research cruise set sail on 20 November from Maputo, Mozambique for a mission in the high seas of the South Indian Ocean organized by two FAO fisheries flagship programmes, the Common Oceans Deep Sea Fisheries project and the EAF-Nansen Programme.
During the three-week voyage, which will survey ocean areas, seabeds and sea mounts south of Madagascar, scientists will pilot hydroacoustic methods to estimate the biomass of alfonsino stocks, to facilitate population assessments.
They will also identify deep-sea shark species, collect biological information and specimens for taxonomic studies, and advance the work of a “smart” shark identification key, to increase knowledge on these little-known species.
The seafloor of defined vulnerable marine ecosystems (VME’s) will be surveyed by means of detailed bottom topography mapping using video transects, to learn more about the corals and sponges that provide critical deep-sea habitats.
Finally, during the sailing between the identified study sites, seabirds and whales will be studied and systematically registered to learn more about their presence and abundance in these high seas areas.
“This cruise is the result of years of preparation and a joint venture between FAO’s two main programmes for ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction” said Viktoria Varga Lencses, Coordinator of the Common Oceans Program. “We are very excited about this scientific research collaboration and the invaluable information that will be gathered for the South Indian Ocean.”
The voyage takes place amid the EAF Nansen Programme’s 50th anniversary mission.
Training opportunities
A key component of the mission is to provide opportunities for hands-on training for regional participants and exchange knowledge and experiences between the different scientific disciplines involved in the various studies.
“The strength of this joint mission lies not only in the cutting-edge science, but in the way it builds the capacity of regional experts,” said Merete Tandstad, EAF-Nansen Programme Coordinator.
“By strengthening partners’ ability to generate and apply scientific knowledge, we help ensure sustainable management of our marine ecosystems,” she added.
The ship tasked with the assignment is the United Nations-flagged research vessel R/V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen (DFN) that operates under the EAF-Nansen Programme.
The vessel is accommodating for the voyage 15 crew members, two instrument technicians, a medic, 17 local scientists and five core team scientists from the Institute of Marine Research in Bergen, Norway, who will ensure all data and sampling is done according to defined standards.
Scientists and fisheries observers from the South Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA) will also be on board for training exercises.
Bjørn Erik Axelsen, the cruise leader, has the overall responsibility for the scientific delivery from the survey and is the liaison between the SIOFA representatives and the EAF-Nansen Team.
The vessel will dock in Cape Town, South Africa on December 11.
About the Programmes
The EAF-Nansen Programme is a partnership between FAO, Norway, regional organizations and 32 African and Asian countries dedicated to promoting the ecosystem approach to fisheries management for improved food and nutrition security.
The Deep-sea Fisheries Project is one of five child projects of the Common Oceans Program. It partners with the seven regional fisheries management organizations that manage deep-sea fisheries in the ABNJ, including SIOFA, as well as national and international organizations and the private sector.
About the project
The Common Oceans Deep-sea ?sheries project brings together a global partnership dedicated to advancing responsible deep-sea ?sheries management and biodiversity conservation in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). Funded by the GEF and led by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), it works in collaboration with the seven deep-sea RFMOs, the private sector, and international organizations.
For more information, please contact Eszter Hidas: eszter.hidas@fao.org
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UN-flagged research vessel Dr. Fridtjof Nansen departs for South Indian Ocean cruise
Words and photo cover by Deep-Sea Fisheries Project.