Led by an alliance between The Nippon Foundation, Nekton and Ocean Census, as well as UiT (The Arctic University of Norway), and REV Ocean, the expedition brings together a multidisciplinary team of 36 scientists and media experts from 15 leading academic institutions to discover, research, and document this underexplored region.

Prof. Alex Rogers, science director at Ocean Census, said: “Ocean Census has a rare opportunity to delve into some of Earth’s most extreme and uncharted habitats – from hydrothermal vents, abyssal plains, and mid-ocean ridges to seamounts and gas and oil seeps. These remarkable environments harbour an abundance of undiscovered life forms, and we anticipate uncovering hundreds of new species, ranging from sponges to corals, sea anemones, snails, small crustaceans and animals which feed off chemical energy like beard worms.”

Yohei Sasakawa, chairman of The Nippon Foundation, added: “In our relentless pursuit to unveil the mysteries of the ocean depths, the Ocean Census Arctic Deep Expedition stands as a testament to our commitment to marine discovery and conservation. Through collaborative efforts and cutting-edge technology, we strive to shed light on the undiscovered life thriving in the Arctic depths, paving the way for a deeper understanding of our planet’s precious ecosystems.”

Having departed from Tromsø, Norway, on May 3rd aboard the Institute of Marine Research’s RV Kronprins Haakon, the Ocean Census Arctic Deep Expedition is the first leg of UiT’s EXTREME24 mission. Equipped with REV Ocean’s 6,000-metre-rated ROV Aurora, the expedition will sample and film the remote and enigmatic marine environment of the Fram Strait passage between Greenland and Svalbard. The research area encompasses a wide range of deep-sea habitats, including the Knipovich Ridge, Dumshaff Abyssal Plain, Jøtul vent field, Svyatogor Ridge, Alta Seamount, and Molløy Deep – the deepest point in the Arctic Sea at 5,550 metres. Some of these unique habitats are being targeted for deep sea mining.

Prof. Giuliana Panieri, professor at UiT and expedition leader, said: “I am excited to collaborate with a team of scientists and students from across the globe and with important institutions during this expedition, and proud that the knowledge we’ve gathered at UiT thus far has been instrumental in meticulously planning this voyage. The insights we gain will not only advance scientific understanding but will also be crucial for developing strategies to protect our planet.”

Following the expedition, in October 2024, a taxonomic workshop will be hosted by Ocean Census and UiT at their university labs in Tromsø to accelerate the species discovery and taxonomic work from the specimens collected. The resulting curated collection will be housed at the Arctic University Museum of Tromsø, providing a valuable resource for future research endeavours and contributing to the global understanding of marine biodiversity in the region.