French research vessel on three year voyage stops in Maldives
07 Apr 2010, 1:39 PM
Kate Wilson
French climate research vessel Tara Oceans arrived in Hulhumale’ today after an unnerving journey from Mumbai, a journey “rerouted close to India to avoid the risk of pirates in international waters”, according to scientist Celine Dimier-Hugueney.
Tara’s passengers and crew, consisting of five scientists, five crew members and television media, are stopping off in Maldives as part of a three year voyage around the world researching previously unknown and crucial marine ecosystems.
One of the main aims of the expedition is to look at the basis of the oceans food chain, phytoplankton, by “comparing the biodiversity of phytoplankton with previous expeditions to look at change according to pressures such as pollution and climate change” explains Celine.
Tara’s previous expeditions include ocean exploration in the Arctic, Antarctica and the seas around Patagonia, Greenland and South Georgia.
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