OceanX continues expedition in Aqaba Gulf

AMMAN — Staff from OceanX, an international organisation specialised in the scientific exploration of oceans and marine life, continue their three-week expedition in the Gulf of Aqaba on OceanXplorer, an advanced exploration, research and media production vessel owned by OceanX.

OceanX in cooperation with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) on June 8 began its first expedition in Aqaba, to protect the Kingdom's natural environment, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The researchers on board conducted several operations, including exploring the depths of Aqaba's water, classifying mega-organisms, examining climate-resilient coral reefs and studying samples from multiple geological layers in the Gulf.

Speaking during a tour of the vessel, Nayef Bakhit, chief commissioner of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), on Monday highlighted that OceanX's cooperation with Jordanian institutions and universities would support the Aqaba Marine Reserve, notably its inclusion in the international network of marine reserves and world marine heritage.

Professor Vincent Pieribone, vice chairman and chief scientist of OceanX, commended Jordanian stakeholders' efforts in support of the OceanXplorer mission in the Gulf of Aqaba, which could deepen the global understanding of natural resources conservation.

The mission work will not be limited to investigating the characteristics of the Jordanian waters, but it will also provide insight into the future of the protection of a sustainable marine environment, he said.

Over three weeks, the mission, including Jordanian and non-Jordanian scholars working with the staff of OceanX, has been studying deep-water biodiversity and the region's coral reef systems to understand why they are more resilient to climate change than anywhere else on the planet, to learn how to preserve coral reefs worldwide. It will also work on mapping coral reef spots and deep-sea sites in the Gulf of Aqaba.

As part of its young explorers' programme, meant to support new researchers in the field of ocean sciences, seas and environment protection, the vessel is hosting 15 Jordanian students, in addition to students from other countries.