Across the Caribbean and adjacent regions, much of the ocean remains scientifically underexplored. Beyond the reach of conventional diving, deep and offshore ecosystems host biodiversity, ecological processes and environmental connections that are still poorly documented. At the same time, countries are being called to make increasingly complex decisions on marine conservation, ocean governance, climate resilience, marine spatial planning and the implementation of new international instruments such as the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction, known as the BBNJ Agreement.
In this context, IOCARIBE, has launched the Task Team on Deep-Sea Research and the BBNJ Agreement under its Capacity Development Working Group. The Task Team responds to priorities identified by IOCARIBE Member States and seeks to strengthen regional scientific cooperation, access to research platforms, knowledge generation and capacity development in deep-sea science.
Its launch comes at a decisive moment for the region. Several scientific cruises and offshore research initiatives are being developed in or around the wider Caribbean, creating a rare opportunity to connect field science with regional priorities. If properly coordinated, these cruises can do more than expand scientific knowledge: they can help build local capacity, generate open-access data, support decision-making and strengthen the participation of Caribbean scientists and institutions in ocean research.
The first of these initiatives is the Calypso Project, led by the Caribbean Cetacean Society. This regional expedition focuses on marine megafauna, including whales, dolphins, sharks and seabirds, and responds to long-standing data gaps across the Caribbean Sea and adjacent waters. The project combines visual observation, photo-identification, passive acoustics, baited cameras, environmental DNA and monitoring of threats such as vessel traffic and plastic pollution. Its regional approach is especially relevant because many marine species move across national jurisdictions, making cooperation essential for effective conservation and management.
The scientific value of the Calypso Project lies not only in the collection of new observations, but also in its potential to support offshore conservation planning. Better information on the distribution and movement of cetaceans and other marine megafauna can help identify ecologically important areas, inform marine protected area discussions, and strengthen the evidence base available to governments and regional organizations. For the Caribbean, where many countries face limitations in offshore monitoring capacity, this type of coordinated expedition can contribute directly to more informed ocean governance.
A second major opportunity is the deep-sea expedition in Trinidad and Tobago, presented by Dr Diva Amon as part of the Schmidt Ocean Institute 2026 Expeditions. This initiative will study open-ocean, mesophotic and deep-sea ecosystems using advanced technologies, including remotely operated vehicles, oceanographic instruments and biological sampling tools. Its objectives include mapping uncharted seafloor, documenting species and habitats, characterizing the water column, assessing ecological connectivity and identifying human pressures such as marine debris, microplastics, fishing impacts, contaminants and climate-related changes.
This expedition is particularly significant because it places Caribbean scientific leadership and participation at the center of the research process. Historically, deep-sea cruises in the region have often been led from outside the Caribbean, with limited local participation. By strengthening the role of national and regional scientists, this cruise offers a model for more equitable and collaborative ocean science. It also has strong potential for education and outreach, including live engagement with schools, students and the wider public, helping bring the deep ocean closer to Caribbean communities.
The third initiative discussed under the framework of the Task Team is connected to REV Ocean, which presented opportunities for future scientific missions, education, outreach and collaboration with regional partners. While operational details and routes are not included, the initiative highlights the growing interest in connecting major ocean research platforms with regional capacity development and knowledge-sharing. For IOCARIBE, this creates an opportunity to explore how future missions can support Caribbean priorities through training, participation of early-career scientists, standardized methodologies, public communication and access to data.
Together, these three initiatives point to a broader shift in how deep and offshore science can serve the region. Scientific cruises are often seen as isolated expeditions, but their value increases significantly when they are connected to regional mechanisms, national institutions and long-term capacity development objectives. Through the Task Team, IOCARIBE can help identify common needs, promote collaboration among initiatives, encourage methodological alignment and facilitate dialogue between scientists, Member States and partner organizations.
Open and accessible data will be central to this effort. Data generated through these cruises can support marine spatial planning, biodiversity conservation, environmental impact assessment, fisheries and megafauna management, climate adaptation and future implementation of the BBNJ Agreement. It can also contribute to global and regional ocean data systems, strengthening the visibility of Caribbean science and improving the ability of countries to use scientific evidence in policy and management decisions.
The benefits are not limited to governments and research institutions. Deep-sea and offshore exploration can also inspire new generations of ocean professionals. By linking research cruises with ocean literacy, Blue Schools, Early Career Ocean Professionals and public engagement activities, the region can transform scientific expeditions into learning opportunities. This is especially important in a region where many communities depend directly on the ocean yet have limited access to the technologies and information used to study deeper marine environments.
The establishment of the Task Team on Deep-Sea Research and the BBNJ Agreement therefore provides an important regional framework. It brings together science, capacity development, data sharing and policy relevance at a time when the Caribbean must strengthen its role in global ocean governance. The cruises now being developed offer a practical entry point: they can generate new knowledge, strengthen regional expertise and help ensure that Caribbean countries are not only beneficiaries of deep-sea science, but active participants in shaping it.
As the Task Team moves forward, its work will focus on engaging Member States, identifying regional priorities, supporting collaboration among scientific initiatives and promoting access to knowledge and data. For IOCARIBE, the objective is clear: to ensure that emerging deep-sea research opportunities contribute to a stronger, more inclusive and better-informed ocean science community across the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions.
READ MORE: https://www.ioc.unesco.org/en/articles/deep-sea-science-caribbean-three-research-cruises-one-regional-opportunity
