Download Inner-Space Speciation Project

Inner-Space Speciation Project
Deep-sea Biodiversity in the
Celebes Sea
Concept of the Project
• Southeast Asian waters hold the richest
shallow water biodiversity in the world
• Indo-pacific archipelago is a cradle of
diversity and speciation
• Compared to reefs and coastal waters,
deep basins are unexplored
• Deep water is likely to be similarly rich and
endemic, with new species to be found
• New technologies allow survey and study of
animals in deepest parts of the ocean
Biodiversity of reef
fishes in the Coral
Triangle
Bechtel et al. 2005
Latimeria menadoensis, the Coelacanth from
northern Sulawesi
International Collaboration in
Exploration, Science and Education
Scientific Goals:
• Exploration and survey of deep ocean basins,
seamounts and reefs
• Description and analysis of species, behavior
and ecology
• Comparison of biodiversity, endemism and
community structure with other locations
• Contribution to international Census of Marine
Life
Plan A: Indonesia
• July 2004: Initial contact to Indonesian
authorities for clearances
• January 2005: Madin/Kristof trip to Jakarta,
presentation to Ministry of Fisheries
• January-August: negotiation of MOU
• August 2005: Madin trip to Jakarta; shipment of
equipment
• September 2005: meetings with military
representatives
• October 2005: Stonewalling by military forces
cancellation of 2005 cruise, return of equipment
to WHOI, reschedule to fall 2006
Plan A drags on
• January – May 2006: continued negotiation
of MOU, State Dept and Embassy
involvement; initial contact in Malaysia
• June – July 2006: deadlines missed,
extended, missed some more
• July 2006: final cancellation of project in
Indonesia; pursue contacts in Malaysia and
Philippines
Plan B: Malaysia/Philippines
• August 2006: clearance applications
through State Dept for Malaysia &
Philippines
• October 2006: Madin/Kristof trip to
Philippines & Malaysia
• October 2006: loss of $100K funding from
Conservation International
• Now: Plan for reduced operation in Celebes
Sea with Philippines ship in March 2007
• STILL NOT FINAL – STAY TUNED
Education and Outreach Goals
• Collaborations with Philippines researchers
and students
• High quality still and video images of
marine organisms
• Online educational programs in
Philippines, US and elsewhere
• Popular magazine articles and
television productions for worldwide
distribution
Specimens and Data
• Holotypes and voucher specimens deposited in
host country
• Other specimens and samples deposited in US
• Academic collections
• Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology
• Smithsonian Institution
• Taxonomic, distributional and environmental
data in Philippines and US academic databases
• Census of Marine Life
• Census of Marine Zooplankton
Principal Investigators
Bruce Robison
Senior
Scientist
MBARI
Greg Stone
Larry Madin
VP Global
Programs
Director of
Research
New England
Aquarium
WHOI
Bill Hamner
Professor
UCLA
Emory Kristof
Sr. Photographer
National
Geographic
Why Explore the Deep Sea?
• The deep ocean is the largest living space
on Earth
• It’s properties are radically different from
shallow ocean environments
• Some of the oldest life forms live in the
deep sea
• Less than 1% of its volume has been
explored
• There is a high probability of discovering
new species and new biological phenomena
Regions of Exploration
Global Explorer ROV
• Highly
maneuverable
• 3,000 m depth
capability
• High Definition
Video
• Suction samplers
for organisms
• Portable for use
on any ship
MOCNESS Midwater Trawl
• Standard
sampling system
for
macroplankton
and fish
• 10 m2 trawl net
• 6 nets for depthstratified
samples
• Monitors
temperature,
salinity, depth
and oxygen
Rope Cam Baited Cameras
• Video camera
and light
package with
bait
• Set as deep as
3,000 m
• Developed at
NGS for deepwater sharks
• Provide images
of undisturbed
animals
Blue-water SCUBA Diving
• Allows collection
of fragile animals
• Observations of
undisturbed
behavior
• Used in top 30 m
• In-situ
photographs and
video
• Pioneered by
Hamner, Robison
and Madin
Proposed Research Vessel
“Ventura”
• Deck space for ROV operations
• Variable pitch single screw and bow
thruster
• Winch for deep-sea trawling to 1500
meters
• Berths for science party of 20
• Diving support
• Adequate laboratory space
Current Cruise Plan
• Late February to Mid March, 2007
• 14 days station time at Celebes Sea deep
sites
• Start/end at Subic Bay or Davao
• 15 US participants + 5 Filipino
• Emphasis on ROV operations, trawling,
Rope-Cams
• Zooplankton data to CMARZ
• Currently no support for post-cruise
analysis
Popular Press and Television
• National Geographic Magazine in US
and international issues
• Television programs for US, Asian
and other markets via NGS, PBS,
other
• Possible book
Results and Benefits
• New discoveries of rich marine life in
Philippines waters
• New data on biodiversity, evolution and
ecology of deep-sea animals
• Comparative studies with shallow water and
other ocean regions
• Public awareness of the adventure,
mystery and beauty of the deep-sea
• Opportunities for new Philippines-US
collaborations in research and education
Next Steps
• Identify Philippines scientific partners
• Obtain research permits and clearances
• Determine final dates and itinerary for
cruise
• Arrange charter of research vessel
• Arrange shipping and customs clearance of
expedition equipment
• Plan media coverage in Philippines and US