Inner-Space Speciation Inner-Space Speciation ProjectProject

Deep-sea Biodiversity in the Deep-sea Biodiversity in the Celebes SeaCelebes 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 Biodiversity of reef fishes in the Coral fishes in the Coral TriangleTriangle

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

VP Global Programs

New England Aquarium

Larry Madin

Director of Research

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

depth-stratified 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 deep-water 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