| "Not only is there great potential for exploration, but it's a great tool for raising public awareness and getting the public excited." | |
| Justin Kenney, NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries |
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Much of the world's vast oceans have been left unexplored as man's focus has been exploring new frontiers on land, and in recent decades, space. Attention is now being focused on our oceans as the National Geographic Society's Sustainable Seas Expeditions begins a five-year exploration of our nation's marine sanctuaries.
In April, the National Geographic Society, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Richard & Rhoda Goldman Fund launched the deepwater exploration of NOAA's National Marine Sanctuaries. Dr. Sylvia Earle, National Geographic Society explorer-in-residence, and former National Marine Sanctuary Director Francesca Cava, will lead the Expeditions to the 12 Sanctuaries using one-person submersibles capable of exploring to depths of 2,000 feet.
"These Expeditions are being cast, and I think accurately, as the Lewis and Clark expeditions of the ocean," says Tom La Pointe, NOAA lead for the expedition's web offerings. "Most of the ocean is invisible to people. This mission will unfold before a broader public what is actually happening under the sea's surface."
Cava, project manager for the Sustainable Seas Expeditions, says Earle received a $5 million grant from the Goldman Fund to conduct submersible exploration, which was matched with $775,000 from the National Geographic Society. The world-renowned scientist who is being called the new Jacques Cousteau chose the NOAA Sanctuaries as the exploration sites, and NOAA signed on as a full partner, contributing $3.5 million in-kind services, such as staff and ship time.
"Most of the National Marine Sanctuaries have never really been explored," Cava says. "A lot of Sanctuaries have done side-scan sonar, but now they will be able to go down and see what's really there. Managers will be in the environment in a different way than ever before."
Cava says much of the exploration will focus on scientific research. Scientific studies have been solicited for the project and a group of about 60 scientists are being trained to pilot the submersible, called DeepWorker. "Inviting the scientists to come and do their research with this technology in the Sanctuaries will help us build an awareness from the inside out. It will be a science program like no one has ever had before."
"It's a phenomenal opportunity," says Justin Kenney, public affairs officer for the NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries. "Not only is there great potential for exploration, but it's a great tool for raising public awareness and getting the public excited."
To accomplish this goal, the partners have created education projects for teachers and students, and have gone on-line with an extensive web site that will allow the public to follow the expeditions as they are happening. National Geographic also will be publishing articles and producing television specials about the project.
La Pointe says all coastal resource managers will benefit from the research and public awareness the project will generate. "Sylvia Earle is the world's greatest explorer. We will all benefit because of her commitment to bringing ocean and coastal areas to the attention of the country. The problems and issues facing all coastal managers are, for the first time, being brought to the national spotlight."
For more information on the National Geographic Society's Sustainable Seas Expeditions, go to Internet address http://www.nationalgeographic.com/seas. You may also contact Francesca Cava at (805) 963-3238.
