Investigating the IOT
IN2022_V08
30 Sep, 2022
03 Nov, 2022
Darwin
Fremantle
Dr Tim O'Hara
Museums Victoria Research Institute
Voyage summary
Research voyage from Darwin to Fremantle, traveling via Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands to complete a marine biodiversity survey of the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) that belong to Australia. This voyage will complete a research project that started in 2021 on voyage IN2021_V04.
These voyages will provide vital data to support the management of the new marine parks that were established around these islands in March 2022.
We know almost nothing about the biodiversity values of Australia’s IOT around the remote Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands. This project will complete a world-first investigation of the marine biodiversity of the massive underwater mountains (seamounts) that make up these islands. These seamounts are mostly of late Cretaceous age (65-80 million years ago) and may harbour ancient endemic communities. Marine habitats on seamounts are also easily damaged by human activities and this voyage will gather important data for their conservation and management. An experienced team of scientists will describe the marine life from these remote seamounts, use advanced DNA techniques to study their origin, and evaluate the conservation significance of these unexplored habitats.
The voyage will be led by Dr Tim O'Hara from Museums Victoria Research Institute and is being conducted in partnership with Parks Australia , as well as leading Australian museums and research collections including the Australian National Fish Collection.
There will be 2 other projects included on this voyage:
- Bush Blitz outreach program (Kate Cranney, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water): Outreach program to Australian schools.
- Argo float deployments (Mr Craig Hanstein, CSIRO): Deployment of 4 standard Argo floats.
The science team on this voyage includes 32 participants from 7 institutions, including 3 Australian museums and 2 international research institutes.
Voyage track of RV Investigator for IOT biodiversity survey voyage: red - 2022 survey; black - 2021 survey.
Voyage track of RV Investigator for IOT biodiversity survey voyage: red - 2022 survey; black - 2021 survey.
COVID-19 Protocols
To safeguard the health and well-being of participants, strict COVID-19 protocols apply to all activities on this voyage. This includes a 7-day quarantine on shore and 3-phase PCR testing of all participants for COVID-19 prior to boarding the vessel.
Voyage outcomes
A summary of voyage outcomes will be published approximately 3-6 months after the completion of the voyage.