Displaying items by tag: Louise Allcock
A leading marine science researcher based in Ireland is part of a pioneering mission to explore the depths of the Indian Ocean, as Silicon Republic reports.
Prof Louise Allcock is head of zoology at NUI Galway’s Ryan Institute and has previously led deepwater surveys to investigate corals and sponges in the Atlantic on the RV Celtic Explorer.
Her latest task takes her much further afield, to the Seychelles west of Africa, where she is second-in-command behind principal scientist Dr Lucy Woodall on the Nekton First Descent mission.
Earlier this week the team carried out their first crewed dive to the ‘twilight zone’ of the Indian Ocean below 30m, where sunlight barely penetrates.
The team will be using crewed submersibles and ROVs to explore marine wildlife and plant life at depths of up to 500 metres, while also using sensors to collect data on what lies much further below.
Sky News and Sky Atlantic will be broadcasting live from the Nekton mission this coming Monday 18 March from 8am as part of the Sky Ocean Rescue initiative.
It is hoped the mission’s research will inform science and government policy on a range of issues from conservation to climate change.
“It’s very exciting to be deploying so many different pieces of equipment and doing such a thorough survey of the ocean,” Prof Allcock said.
And she has already been granted her wish to see a sun fish in its natural habitat while on one of the mission’s Triton submarines.
Possibly the coolest thing I will see ever ever ever. Will somebody please buy me a sub so I can do this forever #FirstDescent #NektonMission pic.twitter.com/CPfmCnhQgo
— Prof Louise Allcock (@DrShmoo) March 15, 2019
Silicon Republic has more on the story HERE.
