One of the most extraordinary, and dangerous, underwater expeditions has recently thrilled audiences from Buenos Aires to New York City. As part of a 20-day mission, scientists deployed an underwater robot named SuBastian to explore the Mar del Plata Canyon. This spectacular undersea canyon extends to almost 4,000 meters in depth. This innovative project, titled “Underwater Oases of the Mar del Plata Canyon,” involved 25 scientists from the Argentine research agency CONICET, who aimed to uncover the mysteries of this rich marine environment.
The expedition reached historic levels of interest with the expedition’s live streaming on YouTube, reaching more than a million views a day. Rulemakers and environmental advocates alike were treated to a spectacular show of tropical marine life. Among them was a very strange little white animal known as “Drag Queen” — for its drag queen-like appearance. An orange-starfish-with-butts sparkly starfish butt went contagious. As soon as it was released, folks understandably began to compare it to the cartoon sea creature stalwart Patrick Star from SpongeBob SquarePants.
A Connection to the Deep Sea
The live streaming brought hands-on and up-close experiences of the wonders of our ocean to everyone, no matter where they were in the world. As scientists navigated the depths of the Mar del Plata canyon, they transmitted vibrant images of corals and fish that had never been documented before.
Daniel Lauretta, one of the scientists involved in the expedition, remarked on the significance of the live stream:
“The fact that anyone can connect from home and see what we are seeing live is a unique opportunity.” – Daniel Lauretta
Clearly, this interactive experience connected audiences at home with the thousands of others enjoying the expedition, sparking awareness and appreciation for marine exploration. One YouTube user expressed their excitement:
“I came to see the big-bottomed star, is it here?”
The expedition dazzled experienced researchers, took the ocean exploration conversation to the masses. This surprise engagement sparked a lasting interest in marine biology for millions.
Scientific Challenges Amidst Success
Though the expedition has been a tremendous success and has generated huge public interest, it takes place against a continuing decrease in CONICET and its researchers’ fortunes. Under President Javier Milei, funding for scientific research has been cut dramatically. By some widely circulated accounts, the agency’s budget was cut by 21% last year. Already, the salaries of scientists have dropped by a shocking 35% since Milei assumed office in December 2023. This financial burden has led to an outmigration of scientific talent from CONICET.
Tomas Atilio Luppi, another scientist involved in the expedition, noted the difficult circumstances under which they are operating:
“This is happening at a very difficult time. Science is in a very complicated position, both financially and in terms of support and human resources.” – Tomas Atilio Luppi
Through these difficulties, Luppi finds a silver lining in the ongoing enthusiasm for science from the public. He stated:
“The fact that this craze is happening is like a beacon of light.” – Tomas Atilio Luppi
Discoveries and Marine Life
The Mar del Plata canyon serves as an underwater oasis where two ocean currents converge: the cold, nutrient-rich Malvinas current and the warm, salty Brazil current. This unique ecological setting has been shown to support potentially diverse and abundant marine life, including coral, which the team is documenting for future research.
Lauretta shared his excitement about the discoveries made during their exploration:
“We are already seeing incredible things: animals that have never been recorded in this area, underwater landscapes that look like something from another planet, and behaviors that surprise even the most experienced scientists.” – Daniel Lauretta
Among the more interesting creatures spotted was a sea cucumber viewers went on to name “Sweet Potato.” There is a lot of whimsy in these names, which perfectly represents the spirit of this journey. They bring marine science to life and truly inspire the curiosity of the public.