The Commonwealth and the Nekton Foundation will launch ‘First Descent: Midnight Zone’, a mission to explore and protect the Indian Ocean - the world’s least explored and most at risk ocean.
On 4 March 2020, the Commonwealth and the Nekton Foundation will launch ‘First Descent: Midnight Zone’, a mission to explore and protect the Indian Ocean – the world’s least explored and most at risk ocean.
First Descent
First Descent is a ground-breaking scientific research mission, using the world’s most advanced deep diving submersible.
The goal of the mission is to better understand the 630,000 km2 of ocean across Seychelles and the Maldives, so that governments can make better management decisions.
The data collected will help Commonwealth leaders make the best policies to protect the ocean, including on marine conservation, climate change and fishing.
Nekton also supports training, grants and fellowships for local students and early-career scientists.
Commonwealth Blue Charter
The mission is aligned to the Commonwealth’s flagship programme for ocean governance, known as the Blue Charter.
The launch event includes a press briefing and a reception at Marlborough House. For more information, contact [email protected]
(Photo credit: Nekton)
