S'pore Researchers to Go on Deep Sea Biodiversity Expedition: Vivian

Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) are planning to embark on a deep-sea biodiversity expedition to the high seas in the eastern Indian Ocean in October, said Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on June 10.

- Audrey Tan

NICE, France — Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) are planning to embark on a deep-sea biodiversity expedition to the high seas in the eastern Indian Ocean in October, said Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on June 10.

The expedition, in collaboration with US-headquartered non-profit OceanX, will also bring together scientists from the region, especially other small island developing states, Dr Balakrishnan said as he delivered Singapore's national statement at the UN Ocean Conference taking place in Nice, France.

"This will give (researchers) an opportunity to document and to survey deep-sea biological material," he said, adding that the findings will help to deepen understanding of the oceans.

The Indian Ocean is the body of water between Southeast Asia and the African continent. The high seas, which make up about two-thirds of the ocean, refer to ocean areas outside national jurisdictions.

Dr Balakrishnan on June 9 said, on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (Aosis), that it was important for small island developing states to lead, and not just participate in, ocean-related scientific expeditions.

Aosis is a grouping of 39 small-island and low-lying coastal developing states including Singapore, Palau, the Maldives and Belize.

Mr Mark Dalio, founder and co-chief executive of OceanX, told The Straits Times that its partnership with NUS "reflects OceanX's ongoing commitment to advance ocean science in Southeast Asia".