Canary Islands Expedition 2014: Overview

 

For the second time, Oceana carries out an expedition to the Canary Islands. This new at-sea campaign focuses on El Hierro island and aims at documenting its marine ecosystems in order to develop relevant policy efforts to push for the protection of the areas of study.

The one-month expedition, carried out on board the Oceana Ranger, includes the use of ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) and divers specialized in underwater photography and videography.

El Hierro boasts highly diverse and valuable marine habitats and species, which led Oceana to propose the protection of its waters already in 2011. That same year, an underwater volcano erupted south of the island and in 2014 El Hierro became the first island in the world to use 100 percent renewable energies, making the island unique from an environmental point of view.

Additionally, the expedition plan includes to explore for the first time some seamounts in Eastern Atlantic hardly ever filmed before.