Join Us Exploring Palau National Marine Sanctuary

In support of the U.S.’s commitment to map Palau National Marine Sanctuary – which was announced in 2022 at the Our Ocean Conference hosted by Palau and the U.S. – two deep ocean exploration expeditions are being planned for October - November 2024 with funding from NOAA Ocean Exploration via the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute. Ocean Exploration Trust, Palau International Coral Reef Center, NOAA Ocean Exploration, and other Palauan and U.S. collaborators are working closely to co-develop plans for these expeditions, which will be streamed live and will include local scientists, educators, and students.

Palau Expeditions

Exploring Palau National Marine Sanctuary

E/V Nautilus Expedition

Lebuu's Voyage I - Palau

Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS) –protection secured by Euotelel a Klingil a Debel Belau– is one of the most ambitious conservation efforts on Earth. Despite being rich in natural and cultural resources, there is very little data available from deep ocean habitats protected within PNMS. Working closely with the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC), NOAA Ocean Exploration, and other Palauan and U.S.

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E/V Nautilus Expedition

Lebuu's Voyage II - Palau

Building on the progress in the first expedition, this 11-day expedition will continue exploring Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS) to understand seafloor features and the biodiversity that call deep sea habitats around Palau home. Specific cruise objectives will continue to be refined as we work with community and scientific partners.

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E/V Nautilus Expedition

Mapping and Water Column Exploration Offshore Palau

Following two E/V Nautilus expeditions focused on exploring the deep sea in the Palau National Marine Sanctuary, this 17-day expedition will center on surveying the oceanography and current flow around the Palauan Islands, and how this affects both near and offshore ecosystems, including those within the Palau National Marine Sanctuary.

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Ocean Exploration Trust, WHOI MISO/Dan Fornari

Scientists

Researchers and scientists are needed to make the most of our exploration by transforming collected data and samples into discoveries. Submit priorities for seafloor mapping, remotely operated vehicle dives, or sampling and participate live as we explore.

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Students & Early Career

The Palauan Voices in Ocean Exploration program is a three-month fellowship designed to empower students and early-career professionals from Palau with a passion for ocean conservation as well as scientifically and culturally grounded storytelling.

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Educators

Our Science Communication Fellowship immerses formal and informal educators in ocean exploration as expedition communicators. This professional development program at sea empowers educators to connect with students and public audiences around the world.

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Expedition Scope and Planning Process

These expeditions will take place aboard OET’s Exploration Vessel Nautilus with the goals of building on previously acquired data in the region, advancing long-standing collaborations between the U.S. and Palau on protecting fisheries and the environment, and the U.S.’s commitment to support mapping of PNMS. OET will provide all data to the Palauan government and Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) and aims to provide publicly accessible data to support and enable follow-on exploration and management activities to better understand and care for the ocean. Building on the results from these activities, NOAA Ocean Exploration is also planning a series of expeditions on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer in Palau in 2025.

OET is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that works to explore the ocean, seeking out new discoveries while pushing the boundaries of STEAM education and technological innovation. They own and operate the 68-meter (224-foot) E/V Nautilus, equipped with deep diving robots- remotely operated vehicles capable of reaching 4,000 meters (13,300 feet)- and acoustic mapping sonars. OET’s expertise in conducting telepresence-enabled expeditions offers opportunities for scientists, students, and the public to participate remotely from shore alongside the international team of scientists, engineers, educators, mariners, and local cultural liaisons at sea.

This will be OET’s first expedition in Palau and 167th worldwide with the mission to advance scientific knowledge and engage new generations of curious minds to learn more about the ocean.