Research vessel will take another look at NMI reefs

Gov. Juan N. Babauta and Lt. Gov. Diego Benavente will visit research vessel Oscar Elton Sette today to extend a warm “Hafa adai” and “Good luck” to the research team on board the huge vessel.

The vessel will arrive on Saipan today to begin the 2005 Mariana Archipelago Research and Monitoring Program cruise, according to Coral Outreach specialist Qamar Schuyler. Also called MARAMP, the multi-agency effort, which went on its first cruise in 2003, is sponsored by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.

Schuyler said that this year, scientists from Hawaii, Guam, and the CNMI will revisit the underwater sites they explored two years ago to recover instruments that were left behind to gather valuable data, and monitor any changes that might have occurred over the last two years. Using different techniques, the expedition aims to study the coral, fish, algae, and benthic habitats around most of the islands and offshore banks of the archipelago.

She said the team would also collect oceanographic data such as sea temperature and water chemistry.

The ship will leave the shores of Saipan today, heading to the islands of Anatahan, Guguan, Pagan, Asuncion, Farallon de Pajaros, Maug, Agrihan, Almaagan, and Sarigan. It will also stop by the Supply Reef and Zelandia Bank.

The research vessel will return to Saipan on Sept. 19 or 20. On Sept. 21 to 30, several scientists would study the islands of Saipan, Tinian, Aguijan, and Rota. They will also visit Pathfinder Reef and Arakane Reef, said Schuyler.

Schuyler said this year’s journey could be followed online. She said the public would be able to follow the adventures of the ship, and share in new and exciting discoveries by visiting the website, www.crm.gov.mp/maramp. The website would provide more information about the scientists on board, daily updates and photos from the field.

She is inviting the community to check out the special features on the web and post questions for the scientists and crew.

“There is also a teacher resource section with links for teachers, including lesson plans, helpful web sites, and a list of local classroom speakers,” she said.

For more information about the cruise or specifics about the scientific studies, contact Schuyler or John Moreno, at (670) 664-8320 or email John.Moreno@crm.gov.mp.

Photos and video from last year’s cruise are also available upon request.