MWSRP team member Rory Moore departs on research expedition of a lifetime
Beginning in January 2011, Rory Moore, a leading marine biologist and a professional underwater photographer who produces cutting edge images, will lead an 18 month expedition across the Pacific Ocean, aboard the marine research vessel La Cueca.
Expedtion Oceanus will follow in the footsteps of the pioneering explorations of Jacques Cousteau, La Cueca will be a unique research platform enabling multiple experiments to be performed on behalf of several leading institutions.
These experiments could make a vital difference in identifying and learning what needs to be done to protect our precious oceans. Institutions participating in the expedition will have access to some of the most remote and diverse eco-systems on the planet where this pioneering research including the search for new species, can be undertaken.
La Cueca is fully equipped with dive compressor, enough scuba and camera gear to almost sink her, kayaks, boards, computers, research equipment etc etc. The vessel will accommodate 6 although for the main part it'll be crewed by two.
Rory departs from Newport, L.A.in the nexts few days. Bound for Mexico. March will bring the long (30 days...ish) crossing to the Marquesas, on to French Polynesia, Cook Islands, Tahiti, Tonga, Fiji and New Zealand where we will take a break and prepare for the next leg back to the UK.
Collegues from the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme will be joining the expedition at points along the voyage to study whale shark populations; including a return to Ahe, Papua.
The MWSRP will keep you updated with news from 'Expedition Oceanus' and will link to Rory's own blog as soon as it is up and running. Rory's website is www.rorymoore.weebly.com.
If you are interested is potential sponsorship opportunities you can read more about these here http://tinyurl.com/Expedition-Oceanus
SV La Cueca ready to set sail
Mantas in the Maldives by Rory Moore
Smiling whale by Rory Moore
Sea lions are fun dive buddies by Rory Moore
