Majuro Workshop Gathers Stakeholder Input for Marshall Islands Expedition

On April 15, Ocean Exploration Trust (OET), in collaboration with the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA), hosted a workshop at the Marshall Islands Resort to discuss deep-sea science and ocean outreach needs of the community. 

OET is a US-based nonprofit organization that aims to explore poorly known parts of our ocean while pushing the boundaries of technological innovation, education, and outreach. In August 2025, OET will conduct an expedition aboard its Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus to explore deep-sea habitats throughout the Republic of the Marshall Islands in collaboration and consultation with the MIMRA and other partners. Funded by NOAA Ocean Exploration via the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute, this expedition will map and characterize poorly known deep-sea habitats to support science and management priority needs in RMI and engage students and the public in telepresence-based exploration. 

The workshop convened community members online and in-person for their input about how the science, education, and outreach capabilities of E/V Nautilus may be applied to best address the priority needs of local stakeholders in the Marshall Islands. The workshop consisted of short presentations summarizing previous deep-sea explorations in RMI and the ship’s capabilities, which were followed by small group discussions on how the forthcoming expedition can best address local priority needs in science, education, and outreach.

The workshop was attended by over 25 people, including stakeholders from these various government agencies and community organizations: MIMRA, Marshall Islands Environmental Protection Authority, Cultural and Historic Preservation Office, National Disaster Management Office, RMI Public School System, Marshall Islands Conservation Society, College of the Marshall Islands, University of South Pacific, JoJikum, and Ocean Exploration Trust.

"In addition to exploring unknown ocean areas and sharing the excitement of discovery with audiences of all ages, the Ocean Exploration Trust is committed to co-developing expeditions to ensure that they address local priority needs, as well as are executed in a manner that is culturally respectful and appropriate. We are grateful to everyone who attended this workshop and helped us lay a strong foundation to achieve these goals," said Daniel Wagner, OET’s Chief Scientist.

The upcoming E/V Nautilus expedition to the Marshall Islands is just part of an exciting 2025 field season, which will also include explorations around the Mariana Islands, Solomon Islands, and Wake Atoll. OET’s 2025 expeditions will build ocean knowledge supporting international scientific and U.S. governmental priorities, particularly understanding ocean changes, sharing that knowledge with others, and contributing new discoveries and data to inform future conservation and resource management decisions. The goals of these expeditions are co-developed by scientists, resource managers, and local community stakeholders in the regions where the expeditions will take place and the OET team, reflecting U.S. national exploration priorities. Expeditions will include local scientists and early career professionals as part of the team onboard. 

This collaboration will continue in the months ahead through continued meetings with stakeholders to develop an expedition plan for the August missions, addressing input received. Those interested in sharing further community priorities for the planning process can find more information at NautilusLive.org.