INSEAD Annual Report 2023-20143 test - Flipbook - Page 45
Collaboration Showcase
Marine Science 2023
43
Monaco Explorations
expedition
The Marine Science programme collaborated
with Monaco Explorations for their ‘Indian Ocean
Expedition’ from October to December 2022. The
expedition sailed from Mauritius to La Reunion
to Aldabra and Mahe (Seychelles), then from
Seychelles to Saya del Malha bank and Mauritius.
There were more than 150 participants from
around 20 nationalities onboard the S.A. Agulhas
II, including scientists, early career researchers and
students, filmmakers and photographers, artists,
communicators, and the ship’s crew. As part of
the expedition, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco
conducted an official visit to Aldabra and to the
ship. Guided by an Advisory Committee of fourteen
international experts (including Heather Koldewey),
the scientific programme focused on the four main
themes of Monaco Explorations: coral protection,
megafauna protection, marine protected areas and
new exploration techniques.
Our team from Oxford University and ZSL continued
our ongoing collaboration with the Seychelles Islands
Foundation. We focused on collecting samples and
data linked to population structure, connectivity
and resilience of corals and other invertebrates in
the central and western Indian Ocean, including
Ctenella chagius. We were able to organise
opportunistic sampling to 700 metres around
Aldabra using a remotely operated vehicle using the
standard transect and depth methodology being
applied by the REV Ocean expedition at the same
time. This research was led by regional scientists.
Unfortunately, due to equipment failure, one of
our team had to be medivaced from the expedition
back to the UK via Nairobi for medical attention
and recovery. This highlighted the risks involved in
conducting research in such remote regions.
Monaco Explorations is endorsed by the United
Nations Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable
Development 2021-2030 and the Expedition itself
was endorsed by the 2nd International Indian
Ocean Expedition.
