Start of the expedition to the cold-water corals in the West Indian Ocean

Aug 12, 2024

The research vessel SONNE in the harbor of Port Louis. Photo: MARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences; C.Wienberg

On August 8, MARUM expedition SO306 set sail from Port Louis, Mauritius. The destination of the expedition is the Western Indian Ocean and the Strait of Mozambique. For the first time, an international team of scientists and technicians will explore the occurrence of cold-water corals along the East African continental slope between Tanzania and South Africa as well as the region around the Comoros Archipelago. They want to find out under which environmental conditions these corals thrive in the deep sea, how many species live in the reefs and how these habitats could develop in the future.

The researchers are relying on a combination of historical data and modern seismic measurements. Using the remote-controlled underwater robot ROV MARUM-SQUID, they will take detailed photos and videos of the corals and their habitats. In addition, hydroacoustic measuring devices such as multibeam echosounders and ADCPs, landers for long-term studies of environmental conditions and various devices for sediment, water and plankton sampling will be used.

On board are 37 researchers from ten different nations, under the scientific lead of Dr. Claudia Wienberg and Prof. Dr. Dierk Hebbeln.

The team of expedition SO306 will report on the journey and everyday life on board in an expedition logbook.