Unveiling the mysteries of the deep sea in Indonesian waters

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JAKARTA (ANTARA) – Although the ocean covers about 70% of the Earth’s surface, human understanding of the ocean is still limited.

However, zero visibility under strong water pressure is quite challenging to conduct exploratory research activities.

Meizani Irmadhiany was stunned for a moment, recalling the time when she, along with the Indonesian government and partners, boarded the OceanX ocean research vessel docked in Dubai, UAE, in late November 2023.

Two yellow submarines sparkled in the sun, and the fresh air before winter mixed with the smell of sea water.

“When we get on the OceanX ship, there are two submarines that can accommodate two people and can cruise up to a thousand meters,” she said when we met in Jakarta in early May 2024.

Indonesia is working with the nonprofit Ocean Explorers on a three-month research mission to uncover the mysteries of the seafloor, said Ilmadiani, chairman of the Indonesian Conservation Foundation’s management board.

The exploration project starts from Sambu Island in Batam and ends at Tomini Bay in North Sulawesi.

Research Topics

At 11 a.m. local time on May 7, 2024, the anchor of the OceanX ship anchored on the seabed of Sambu Island in Batam began to be slowly pulled up, and the propeller turned to stir the sea water, causing white foam to rise, pushing the ship away from the port.

The expedition began with questions about the mysteries of the deep sea.

A total of 12 Indonesian researchers took part in the mission, which sailed from Batam to Aceh. The number of researchers varied for each route. They came from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesian conservation organizations and universities.

Jimmy Kalser, a marine ecology researcher at the Indonesian Conservation Organization, highlighted three ongoing projects in the marine research program. The first was earth science or geological science directly led by BRIN, the second was oceanography research led by the Bogor Agricultural Research Institute (IPB), and the third was biodiversity and fisheries exploration led by the Indonesian Conservation Organization.

Scientists will map underwater structures and diverse biodiversity during an exploration route that will last until the end of August 2024, and will also record which species are of economic benefit to humans.

“We worked with BRIN and the university from the research process, piloting to processing and analyzing the data obtained from the research,” comments Kalther.

The deep-sea research expedition sailed on five routes from Batam, along the Strait of Malacca to Aceh, focusing on geoscience research to understand the seafloor matrix and underwater structure, especially after the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Aceh two decades ago.

The second and third routes are from Aceh to Padang and then Padang to Jakarta. These two routes are the main and longest missions to study the Fisheries Management Area (WPP 572).

Along these routes, researchers will conduct research in oceanography, earth sciences, biodiversity and fisheries.

WPP 572 covers the Indian Ocean waters west of Sumatra and the Sunda Strait, which are rich in fishery resources, especially pelagic fish such as bigeye tuna, bonito, scallops, mackerel, yellowfin tuna, etc.

To date, WPP 572 has remained relatively small in research compared to other fisheries in Java and Sulawesi. Technical challenges and nature-related factors have hampered research on WPP 572.

After exploring the Indian Ocean, the expedition will head to Bali and then continue to Flores Island. This route is designed specifically for students to learn about studying the environment from an early age by observing biodiversity and large animals such as whales, sharks, dolphins and turtles.

The last leg of the trip will take the crew from Flores to North Sulawesi to study the coelacanth, or ancient fish, which has existed in the world for hundreds of years. The waters of Sulawesi are one of their territories.

The research activity can serve as an example of human exploration of the undiscovered deep sea. Despite the existence of civilization for thousands of years, we only know the deepest five percent of the ocean.

The most advanced research projects carried out by humans so far revolve around space alone. The deep sea also holds interesting mysteries that are yet to be revealed in scientific journals and will form the basis for the development of future civilizations.

Cooperation projects

Swayed by a current every seven to nine seconds, the Strait of Malacca that separates Sumatra from the Malay Peninsula is always bustling with ships plying the waters exploring the continent.

There was no time to relax in the middle of the ocean. The days felt so long.

The researchers continue to sail to collect various specimens. The OceanX research vessel has four laboratories, including one wet laboratory unit and three dry laboratory units.

The ship’s laboratory facilities can be used for DNA sequencing to detect genetic information in samples collected from the ocean. In fact, the Earth Science Research Laboratory can also monitor sediment cores.

The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment said the study will focus on marine biodiversity, carbon potential, fish stock assessment and seismic mapping to improve earthquake and tsunami models.

Meanwhile, BRIN head Laksana Tri Handoko said Indonesia is the country with the longest coastline in the world after Canada. However, deep-sea research in Indonesia is still limited. Therefore, collaborative research is essential to uncover the mysteries of the deep sea.

“Each expedition includes both geoscience researchers and biodiversity researchers,” comments Handok.

Ongoing marine research activities will form an important basis for sustainable marine resource management and conservation.

In addition to its beautiful appearance, the ocean also plays an important role in providing food, medicine, energy, etc. to humans.

Research activities allow humans to understand the secrets of the ocean. One can’t help but wonder whether in the near future we can understand the ocean as well as we understand the land. Eventually, curiosity will lead humans to uncover this.

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