Bajans join historic ocean-mapping mission

Seven Barbadians are gaining hands-on experience in marine research and ocean mapping as part of the island’s first-ever mission to survey the seafloor across its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The participants, drawn mainly from the Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU), the Fisheries Division, and the University of the West Indies, have joined scientists aboard the Irish research vessel RV Celtic Explorer for the two-week deep-sea expedition.

Officials say the mission is not only a scientific breakthrough, but also a critical step towards building local capacity in oceanography and supporting Barbados’ Marine Spatial Plan.

Among those selected was marine ecologist Tori Bryan-Carter of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), who described the experience as both professionally rewarding and personally meaningful.

“I volunteered, but I work with the IUCN, and we have a project office based here in Barbados,” she said during Monday’s tour of the vessel.  

“I previously worked at the Coastal Zone Management Unit for two years before going to do my master’s in coastal and marine management in Ireland, so it all tied together.”

Bryan-Carter said the trip was her second time on a research vessel, having spent two days at sea during her postgraduate studies. 

This time, however, the work was closer to home and more in-depth, she shared.

“We got to spend two weeks in Barbados mapping the EEZ. It was a really amazing experience to be the first on the journey to see all that Barbados has. It was a refresher of what I’d done during my master’s, but also a great learning experience,” Bryan-Carter said.

She added that she was able to continue her regular work duties remotely while contributing to the research effort.

The training component was built into the mission from the start and local participants will rotate across both legs of the survey. 

They were exposed to the use of high-tech sonar systems, data collection techniques, and processing methods to produce detailed maps of the ocean floor.

“This is a capacity-building training exercise,” said CZMU Director Dr Leo Brewster. “It provides exposure for our local team and allows us to explore new areas of scientific activity that have never been done before.”

Project manager for the Barbados Marine Spatial Plan, Allison Wiggins, said the effort is part of a larger push to ensure Barbadians are equipped to lead future ocean research and policy development.

“We are trying to ensure that we have a cadre of trained Barbadians in different aspects of oceanography,” she said. “They’re learning how to conduct the survey, how to process the information, and how to produce the kinds of maps we need to guide decisions.”

Once completed, the mapping data, collected using multi-beam sonar systems designed for depths up to six kilometres, will be layered with information on ecosystems and marine activity zones to support conservation planning, resource management, and the development of the blue economy.

The RV Celtic Explorer, operated by the Marine Institute of Ireland, is expected to complete its second and final leg of the survey this week.

(SM)