A groundbreaking scientific and conservation expedition is currently underway across Fiji’s expansive ocean territory aboard the research vessel Argo. This marks a defining step in the nation’s commitment to ocean protection and sustainable marine management.
The mission will be conducted by National Geographic Pristine Seas team, in partnership with Blue Prosperity Fiji, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, and the Ministry of Fisheries and Forests. The expedition will explore and document Fiji’s deep-sea biodiversity, assess ecosystem health, and fill crucial data gaps to support the country’s pledge to manage 100% of its ocean space and designate 30% as fully protected by 2030.
Permanent Secretary (PS) for Environment and Climate Change, Sivendra Michael, emphasised the importance of science-backed marine policy. “This is really grounding the work we do,” Michael said. “Our forefathers had traditional knowledge of conservation, including the value of tabu areas. Now we are using that knowledge in tandem with cutting-edge science to protect our oceans for future generations.”
Pristine Seas is deploying a suite of high-tech tools, including environmental DNA sampling, autonomous deep-drop cameras, and the Argonauta, a submersible capable of filming marine life thousands of meters below the surface.
