Their platform also enabling microplastics research as well as the observation of an undescribed species of comb jelly.
During the summer of 2021, carrying the Explorers Club Flag #211, a team of ocean conscious leaders old and young came together in an effort to support our understanding of the world nearly half a mile below the surface. Working in conjunction with Dr. Dean Grubbs, the Associate Director of Research at Florida State University’s Coastal and Marine Laboratory, the crew successfully tagged two deep sea sharks from a three-person submarine. Tracking the first animal for 30 days, the other’s whereabouts won’t be known for an entire year, until the tracking tag surfaces.
The dive team’s data shows the first tag traveling approximately 8 nautical miles over the course of a four week period. During this time they also recorded the sharks’ daily vertical migrations ranging from the shallows of 255m (836ft) to the depths of 1114m (3654ft). The data was acquired in support of current marine research.
“What else is out there waiting to be discovered?” questions expedition leader Trent Tresch. “It’s imperative that we continue to study our oceans and the life in them. By filling our gaps in knowledge, we grow to better understand our planet and subsequently our place on it.”
Taking advantage of the novel exploration platform the team also worked with local plastic scientist Zara Zuniga to engineer a methodology which they believe has allowed them to gather water samples up to depths of 2000ft. The samples are currently being verified for microplastics but the team has unfortunately identified plastic fibers visually under the microscope.
Additionally, team member Alec Payne is working to identify a remarkable comb jelly that was observed on one dive. Judging from its unique morphology, it represents a species not yet described in the scientific literature, “The closest [potential taxon] could be the genus Euplokamis, but it doesn’t have the right tentilla structure.” As Alex connected with top experts in invertebrate marine biology, they advised they are currently restructuring the taxonomy of comb jellies to include this undescribed species.
The team has all returned home safely and continues to compile the data which will be disseminated appropriately. The expedition’s story shall be told through film, though details are being worked out with major media companies.
They would like to thank the Explorers Club, the Sustainable Oceans Alliance, Karl Stanley and private contributors for their support of this expedition. Without the community’s help, projects like this wouldn’t be possible.
You can read more details about the team’s journey online here.
For additional questions please contact Trent Tresch by email: trenttresch@arizona.edu
Expedition members list: Alec Payne SM’19, Alec Shumate MN’18, Breezy Grenier MN’17, Collin Bettis MN’20, Cassia Patel, Chase Cornell, Colleen Cooley, David DeBerard MN’18, David Busch, Devin Gilmartin, Elon Gordon MN’20, Francesca Cohn SM’19, Fabrice Lays, Gregory Taylor MN’19, Genevieve Carlson, Greg Naing, Heather Philpot, Jeff Orlowski, James Carew, Karl Stanley, Kai Staats, Marshall Hayes, Philip Busch, Stephen Daire MN’18, Trent Tresch SM’19, Tyson Anderson FOTC
