Latest news with #OceanQuest
Arab News
6 days ago
- Science
- Arab News
How Saudi Arabia's OceanQuest is making waves in global marine conservation
RIYADH: As the curtains closed on this year's UN Ocean Conference in the French city of Nice, the Saudi-led foundation OceanQuest emerged as one of the standout contributors to marine sustainability — not only in policy circles but also in the depths of the world's oceans. Fresh from its pioneering Around Africa Expedition, OceanQuest, in partnership with OceanX, brought remarkable scientific discoveries and a powerful message to UNOC — that true marine conservation must combine exploration, collaboration, and education. 'This expedition went around Africa and engaged on-ship around 16 African scientists and more than 200 port stops,' Martin Visbeck, CEO of OceanQuest, told Arab News. From surveying megafauna by helicopter to exploring seamounts more than 1,000 meters beneath the surface aboard the OceanXplorer, the team used cutting-edge technology and human ingenuity to illuminate previously uncharted ecosystems. OceanQuest is a Saudi non-profit incubated at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. It is rapidly becoming a key player in the global marine science arena, dedicated to deep-sea exploration, design innovation, and cross-border collaboration. • OceanQuest is a Saudi non-profit focused on deep-sea exploration and global collaborations in marine science. • The foundation emphasizes human-centered approaches to conservation by training African scientists and educators. • Discoveries on its Around Africa Expedition include new seamounts vital for biodiversity and sustainable fisheries. One of its flagship missions — the Around Africa Expedition — offered not only new data but a model of inclusive, equitable marine science. Using robotic vehicles, manned submersibles, and remote sensing tools, the team made multiple dives during the mission. In total, they spent 53 hours underwater, collected nearly 90 samples, and mapped thousands of square kilometers of the seabed, including around the Nola Seamounts and Santo Antao Island. Flights over 922 nautical miles provided additional data on large marine animals. Among the major outcomes was the identification of new underwater seamounts, crucial for fisheries and marine biodiversity. 'We will be the ones who go to seamount systems and explore what is there, look at the species, look at the functions and understanding, then share that with the community, to provide reasons why certain seamounts should be protected,' said Visbeck. This insight is critical as countries consider the ratification and implementation of the High Seas Treaty — formally the Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction agreement — a major focus at UNOC. 'Biodiversity protection beyond national jurisdiction means the protected areas in the high seas, outside of a country's own legal role,' said Visbeck. OceanQuest's approach is not just technical — it is human-centered. Working alongside top African entities such as the National Research Foundation, the University of Cape Town, and the South African National Biodiversity Institute, the expedition helped build capacity for African marine science. Twenty-four early-career professionals from across the continent were trained in seafloor mapping, environmental DNA analysis, and deep-sea sampling. 'This wasn't just about what we discovered in the ocean. It was also about who we empowered on the ground,' said Visbeck. 'By investing in people — students, young professionals and educators — we're building a foundation for Africa's long-term leadership in ocean science.' This section contains relevant reference points, placed in (Opinion field) He sees this collaborative model as a roadmap for future conservation. 'These collaborations are the future of ocean science in Africa,' he said. 'We've seen what's possible when scientists, governments and regional institutions align behind a common purpose, advancing knowledge, access and opportunity.' This year's UNOC provided the perfect platform for OceanQuest to share these achievements and ambitions. 'I decided that it would be amazing to celebrate and launch OceanQuest and share with the ocean world our arrival on the scene at UNOC,' said Visbeck. 'We are using UNOC to celebrate with our partners, friends and ocean-policy people on the scene and share with them our mission and vision.' In a time of mounting ocean crises — from plastic pollution to overfishing and climate change — Visbeck says awareness is a powerful tool. 'What we are trying to do is fight ignorance by providing data and information. Once the information is more clear, it can be a basis for regulatory agencies.' From the Red Sea to the high seas, OceanQuest is helping reframe the future of ocean conservation — not just by mapping the seafloor, but by drawing a new map for global cooperation.
CNN
7 days ago
- Automotive
- CNN
Flying cars for Oman and Syria's payment system recovery: This week's business headlines from the Middle East
Flying cars moved a step closer to reality in Oman, OceanQuest debuted at the UN Ocean Conference, and it was announced that Syria will soon reconnect to the Swift payment system.
CNN
7 days ago
- Automotive
- CNN
Flying cars for Oman and Syria's payment system recovery: This week's business headlines from the Middle East
Flying cars moved a step closer to reality in Oman, OceanQuest debuted at the UN Ocean Conference, and it was announced that Syria will soon reconnect to the Swift payment system.
CNN
7 days ago
- Automotive
- CNN
Flying cars for Oman and Syria's payment system recovery: This week's business headlines from the Middle East
Flying cars moved a step closer to reality in Oman, OceanQuest debuted at the UN Ocean Conference, and it was announced that Syria will soon reconnect to the Swift payment system.
Arabian Business
09-06-2025
- Science
- Arabian Business
OceanQuest: Saudi-backed initiative aims to revolutionise deep-ocean discovery
In a bold step underscoring Saudi Arabia's growing commitment to global science and sustainability, OceanQuest has emerged as a not-for-profit foundation with an ambitious mission: to accelerate the discovery of the deep ocean and illuminate one of Earth's final frontiers — the ocean depths beyond 200 meters. In an exclusive interview with Arabian Business Dr. Martin Visbeck, CEO of OceanQuest outlined the foundation's vision for inclusive, technologically driven exploration and its unique role in shaping the future of ocean science through global partnerships and local empowerment. A new era of ocean discovery 'OceanQuest was created to explore the unknown — not just for science, but for humanity,' said Dr. Visbeck. 'We focus on deep-sea environments like seamounts — underwater volcanoes that are biodiversity hotspots, influence ocean mixing, and may even serve as natural carbon sinks.' With a particular focus on underexplored regions such as the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and Tropical and South Atlantic, OceanQuest is using robotics, digital twins, and AI to unveil the secrets of the deep. The goal: to drive innovation, spark public excitement, and make deep-ocean science more accessible and impactful. The Red Sea: A natural laboratory As a Saudi-based organisation, OceanQuest considers the Red Sea a critical part of its geographical and scientific focus. 'The Red Sea is geologically young, warm, and saline — a truly unique marine ecosystem. Its deep zones remain largely unexplored,' Dr. Visbeck noted. By comparing the Red Sea's deep-sea features with seamount systems in other regions, OceanQuest hopes to uncover global patterns in biodiversity and resilience — all while elevating the Red Sea's role in the global ocean narrative. Collaboration across the global south At the heart of OceanQuest's model is a commitment to equitable global collaboration, with a particular focus on the Global South. The foundation has prioritized early partnerships in: Brazil, working with local institutions to study the Vitória-Trindade Seamount Chain and engage early-career researchers across Latin America. South Africa, building on the success of the Around Africa Expedition by expanding cooperation to neighbouring countries including Mozambique, Tanzania, and Madagascar. Cape Verde, where OceanQuest continues to explore regional seamount ecosystems and strengthen local scientific capabilities. 'These are not one-off engagements,' said Dr. Visbeck. 'We're building long-term partnerships designed to empower local leadership and create shared access to deep-ocean science.' Investing in the next generation OceanQuest places early-career ocean professionals (ECOPs) at the centre of its mission. From hands-on expedition training to global mentorship opportunities, the foundation sees ECOPs as future leaders in ocean governance, science, and technology. 'Supporting ECOPs isn't just capacity-building — it's an investment in the global ocean leadership we need tomorrow,' said Dr. Visbeck. The approach aligns with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, which highlights the importance of youth engagement in creating long-term impact. Technology as a force multiplier OceanQuest's commitment to cutting-edge technology is central to its strategy. The foundation is building capabilities to deploy fleets of robotic systems that can collect real-time imagery and environmental data from seamounts. This data feeds into digital repositories and digital twins — AI-powered simulations that model ocean ecosystems with precision and scale. These technologies enable low-impact exploration and continuous data collection, revolutionising how scientists interact with the ocean. 'Storytelling is the bridge between science and society,' Dr. Visbeck emphasised. Whether it's a young researcher on their first expedition or a robotic system discovering a new coral species, OceanQuest believes in the power of human narratives to make science relatable and impactful. By turning data into stories, the foundation hopes to engage a global audience, raise awareness about the ocean's importance, and foster a sense of collective responsibility. Lessons from the around Africa expedition OceanQuest's first major initiative, the Around Africa Expedition with OceanX, provided valuable insights. Highlights included: African scientific leadership, with regional scientists serving as chief scientists aboard the OceanXplorer vessel. Collaborative research, producing high-quality data and discovering previously undocumented marine life. Training over 30 ECOPs through floating labs — with more than 150 applicants underscoring growing demand for inclusive deep-sea training. The expedition validated OceanQuest's model of collaborative, capacity-focused ocean science. Looking ahead to the 2025 UN ocean conference OceanQuest will make its international debut at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, spotlighting the deep ocean's role in climate stability, biodiversity, and sustainability. Dr. Visbeck confirmed that the foundation will advocate for greater attention to seamounts and deep-ocean ecosystems in global marine science agendas. With global attention increasingly focused on SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and the ratification of new ocean governance frameworks like BBNJ, Dr. Visbeck believes now is the perfect moment for a deep-ocean foundation like OceanQuest. 'Deep-ocean discovery offers unprecedented opportunities — from understanding climate processes to unlocking innovation in biotechnology,' he said. 'With Saudi support and global partnerships, we're turning exploration into impact for all of humanity.'
