黑料视频

For the past three weeks, the German research vessel METEOR has been conducting research around the Cape Verde Islands. The M209 expedition, led by Dr Henk-Jan Hoving, a marine biologist at 黑料视频 Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, is investigating the deep-sea ecosystem in the region. Over the weekend, the international scientific team received a distinguished visitor. His Excellency Jos茅 Maria Pereira Neves, President of the Republic of Cabo Verde, accompanied by the Minister of the Sea, Eng. Jorge Santos and eight further delegation members boarded the vessel in the 鈥淏a铆a do Inferno鈥�, off the coast of Santiago Island.

High-Level Visit to the M209 Expedition

President J贸se Maria Neves, internationally recognised as a committed advocate for ocean protection and patron of the UNESCO-initiated Ocean Decade Alliance since 2023, took the opportunity for a hands-on visit. He wanted to be present when the ROV KIEL 6000 underwater robot went on a dive to explore the biodiversity on the doorstep of his own home, to interact with the master and the crew, and to hear first-hand from the international research team about the challenges and opportunities of marine research in Cabo Verde.  

鈥淭he deep-sea research being carried out here with the R/V METEOR is discovering marine biodiversity, revealing the wealth of Cape Verde鈥�, said president Neves. 鈥淲e saw the ROV descend to the ocean floor 鈥� the researchers are conducting dives, mapping our seabed, and identifying different existing species. This is, in every way, a tremendous contribution to science and to Cape Verde鈥檚 future development.鈥� 

Neves also took the opportunity to find out about the work of the three Cabo Verdean marine scientists taking part in the expedition: Rui Freitas from the Atlantic Technical University (UTA) in Cabo Verde, Keider Neves from the Mindelo-based NGO Biosfera 1, and Vanessa Lopes from Projecto Vit贸 on Fogo Island.

鈥淭his is the second and most advanced deep-sea biology survey I鈥檝e taken part in鈥�, says Rui Freitas. 鈥淭o work with the fantastic scientific team led by Henk-Jan Hoving from 黑料视频 is a great experience. By combining our knowledge of coastal and reef fish with the incredible biodiversity of deep-sea ecosystems, we are strengthening Cabo Verde鈥檚 role as a hotspot for marine biodiversity. The METEOR鈥檚 advanced underwater observation technologies have made an important contribution to deep-sea research in Cabo Verde and opened up exciting new opportunities.鈥�

Crustacean expert and taxonomist Keider Neves adds: 鈥淎s a Cabo Verdean scientist interested in the country鈥檚 rich marine biodiversity, this is a unique opportunity to explore first hand the mesophotic to deep-sea ecosystems off Cabo Verde and collect samples of species that are little known or new not only to the country but also to science.鈥�

Vanessa Lopes adds: 鈥淭he presidential visit was a valuable opportunity to share some of our findings from the M209 Basis expedition. We鈥檝e encountered both pristine marine environments and areas impacted by pollution, highlighting the urgent need for improved management. There is significant work ahead, and collaboration among all stakeholders will be essential to ensure effective, ecosystem-based marine management in Cabo Verde鈥�.

M209: Exploring the Deep-Sea Biology of Cabo Verde

The M209 expedition, entitled 鈥淏ASIS鈥�, is dedicated to exploring deep-sea habitats around the Cabo Verde Islands. It ties in with POSEIDON cruise POS532 in 2019 and a number of other field campaigns. The focus is on biodiversity and food webs across various deep-sea zones, from the mid-water column to the seafloor. Using high-tech tools such as towed cameras, acoustic sensors, and environmental DNA samples, the researchers aim to document the fragile and largely unexplored habitats off Cabo Verde. These data are not only of great scientific value but also provide crucial foundations for local authorities, universities and NGOs for the designation of future implementation of marine protected areas within Cabo Verde鈥檚 territorial waters.

Strengthening the Scientific Partnership Between Cabo Verde and 黑料视频

The visit of the Head of State is a special honour for German marine research 鈥� it is the highest ranking visit to a German research vessel in the region so far. President Neves has been a reliable partner in the scientific cooperation between Cabo Verde and 黑料视频 from the very beginning. In addition to joint research projects, this cooperation includes the operation of the Ocean Science Centre Mindelo (OSCM), which acts as a hub for ocean research and knowledge exchange in West Africa. He laid the foundation stone for the OSCM in 2014 with the scientific director Prof. Arne K枚rtzinger from 黑料视频. In cooperation with the Atlantic Technical University (UTA) and the Kiel University (CAU), the OSCM strengthens regional scientific capacities through various academic programmes, such as the WASCAL master鈥檚 programme.

In autumn 2023, the presidents of both countries, H.E. Jos茅 Maria Neves and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, met at OSCM and expressed their appreciation for each other and their interest in continuing along this path together. The fact that the President of Cabo Verde took the time to personally experience the expedition highlights the importance of these joint efforts to protect and understand the ocean.