

The two officers who had boarded the research vessel in Mauritius spent 18 days on board, five of which were spent carrying out the study using the ROV at a depth of 700 metres, the lowest they had done. SIF’s team, comprising science officer Corianna Julie and senior project officer Veronique Banane presented their findings following an exploration of the deep of Aldabra atoll using the Remotely-Operated Underwater Vehicle (ROV). In her presentation, Ms Marillac explained the aim of the study was to understand the origin of the waste and increase their knowledge about macro-litter pollution so as to establish a dialogue and eventually put in place better waste management plan for the place.

The team led by Vyctoria Marillac, with the help of SIF staff, had collected 20.3 kilogrammes of waste, comprising 46 different brands including hard plastic, glass, metal, fisheries waste. ‘Universite de la Reunion’ had focused their research on macro-waste stranded on Aldabra Island. These included a study on the genetic structure, contaminant and stress levels in marine turtles, as well as the benthic mapping of Aldabra’s channel by ‘Institut Français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer’ led by Dr Jerome Bourjea and Dr Sylvain Bonhommeau respectively. Preliminary results of the Unesco world heritage site, the Aldabra atoll, by the Monaco Explorations were yesterday presented to scientists, environmentalists, board members of Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) and the media.ĭuring the over two-hour presentation, scientists on board the Monaco Expedition research ship ‘ S.A Agulhas 2’ linked up with those on Mahé to present findings of various research carried out late last month in the atoll. Reaches 700 metres using Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle.The SIF team proudly display the Seychelles flag (Photo contributed) Domestic SIF makes milestone deep sea dive in Aldabra Atoll during Monaco Explorations |03 November 2022
